Andrea/Cara here, I am under the gun today, so am invoking the occasionally used Wench Privilege of posting an oldies but goodie. As I've been thinking a lot about research and libraries, I've picked one that talks about what, exactly, IS a library's function these day:
I recently attended a lecture on the role of a library in today’s world. The first slide was a big graphic that said, “Myth #1: Library = Books” The speaker—having gotten everyone’s attention—went on to explain how in our fast-changing (as in blink of an eye) society, how we preserve knowledge, and how we use the material that we save, is radically changing as well.
The examples were fascinating—and inspiring. We were shown that collections now often include art and objects as well as the traditional books and manuscripts. Examples ranged from paper dresses from the ‘60s, ancient clay tablets of the first written books, medieval playing cards . . . even a collection of brains! (Okay, it was a university lecture, so I doubt your local branch as jars of pickled gray matter stuffed in the closet.) The talk also highlighted the excitement and the challenges of preserving digital material. One of the things librarians have to think about is how, with all the rapidly changing technology, to make sure they have the devices that can access different obsolete formats. (This library has a storage room full of old tape decks, Betamaxes, VRCs, etc. that they often have to purchase from e-bay.)
Another really interesting aspect of the talk was how librarians are using high tech data mining techniques to create something they call “digital humanities,” which allow researchers to use techniques usually associated with science/economics to explore other disciplines. The example shown was a computer analysis of the most common words used in Vogue magazine over the last one hundred years. The result were then made into a graphic image of the 
words, and from that researchers could learn important things about the cultural shifts of the times. In the late 1800s-early 1900’s some of the most common words were “Mrs., Miss, party and velvet”—which signaled that the magazine was a society magazine. In the 1950s, the common words “dress, white, hat” signaled it was a fashion magazine. And in the ‘70s, words like “breast cancer, body, health” signal a new concern with women’s health issues. Other uses include analyzing medieval texts to help read damaged manuscripts.
That a library is not just a quiet place filled with shelves of printed books anymore is something I also see closer to home. I just opened this month’s newsletter from my local library (send by e-mail, of course) and the schedule of what’s going on is really impressive. There are of course the traditional author lectures and book clubs. But also on offer are a craft salon, a chess day, hands-on internet training for seniors, a “Lord of the Rings” mystery night for kids with a treasure hunt through the stacks, skype “virtual” tours of a museum with the head curator, a family day celebration of Chinese cultural, a film on the Vietnam war, an art exhibit . . . and the list goes on and on.
Now, I’ve read a number of articles asking whether libraries are obsolete in this day of the internet. But every time I stop by at my local branches (we are lucky enough to have three in my town) the parking lot is full, and the place is hopping with people on the town computers, teens in the study rooms, toddlers enjoying a story hour . . . and yes, people just browsing the shelves for a good book. It really makes me smile.
How about you? Have you noticed a change in mission at your local library? Are you happy with the concept of a library being about so much more than books? If you had a magic wand (and an unlimited budget) what other activities or focus would you add to your own local library?
I love my local library. It’s not quite as gorgeous as those pictures you put up, but it is pretty attractive. It has a wide variety of activities for all ages, it has DVDs of movies and television shows, it has computers and newspapers and magazines, and yes, it does have books (both yours and mine). And it will borrow books I want from other libraries if they are available.
My only complaint is that since it has had to make room for all that nonbook stuff, it doesn’t have as much room for books as it used to and the bothers me. A lot of books get tossed fairly quickly, and It does not keep books that used to be considered classics. Not so long ago, it had the complete works of all the major 19th century novelists. Now it only has those books that have been turned into movies or television series.
This I find depressing. Yes, I can get those books to read on an electronic device, but I don’t really enjoy that. I miss the lovely, beautifully bound, complete works of Sir Walter Scott that had shelf space when I was young. I can still remember the feel of the soft leather covers and the pleasure of turning those silky-smooth pages.
Poking the touch screen just isn’t the same.
I love my local library. It’s not quite as gorgeous as those pictures you put up, but it is pretty attractive. It has a wide variety of activities for all ages, it has DVDs of movies and television shows, it has computers and newspapers and magazines, and yes, it does have books (both yours and mine). And it will borrow books I want from other libraries if they are available.
My only complaint is that since it has had to make room for all that nonbook stuff, it doesn’t have as much room for books as it used to and the bothers me. A lot of books get tossed fairly quickly, and It does not keep books that used to be considered classics. Not so long ago, it had the complete works of all the major 19th century novelists. Now it only has those books that have been turned into movies or television series.
This I find depressing. Yes, I can get those books to read on an electronic device, but I don’t really enjoy that. I miss the lovely, beautifully bound, complete works of Sir Walter Scott that had shelf space when I was young. I can still remember the feel of the soft leather covers and the pleasure of turning those silky-smooth pages.
Poking the touch screen just isn’t the same.
I love my local library. It’s not quite as gorgeous as those pictures you put up, but it is pretty attractive. It has a wide variety of activities for all ages, it has DVDs of movies and television shows, it has computers and newspapers and magazines, and yes, it does have books (both yours and mine). And it will borrow books I want from other libraries if they are available.
My only complaint is that since it has had to make room for all that nonbook stuff, it doesn’t have as much room for books as it used to and the bothers me. A lot of books get tossed fairly quickly, and It does not keep books that used to be considered classics. Not so long ago, it had the complete works of all the major 19th century novelists. Now it only has those books that have been turned into movies or television series.
This I find depressing. Yes, I can get those books to read on an electronic device, but I don’t really enjoy that. I miss the lovely, beautifully bound, complete works of Sir Walter Scott that had shelf space when I was young. I can still remember the feel of the soft leather covers and the pleasure of turning those silky-smooth pages.
Poking the touch screen just isn’t the same.
I love my local library. It’s not quite as gorgeous as those pictures you put up, but it is pretty attractive. It has a wide variety of activities for all ages, it has DVDs of movies and television shows, it has computers and newspapers and magazines, and yes, it does have books (both yours and mine). And it will borrow books I want from other libraries if they are available.
My only complaint is that since it has had to make room for all that nonbook stuff, it doesn’t have as much room for books as it used to and the bothers me. A lot of books get tossed fairly quickly, and It does not keep books that used to be considered classics. Not so long ago, it had the complete works of all the major 19th century novelists. Now it only has those books that have been turned into movies or television series.
This I find depressing. Yes, I can get those books to read on an electronic device, but I don’t really enjoy that. I miss the lovely, beautifully bound, complete works of Sir Walter Scott that had shelf space when I was young. I can still remember the feel of the soft leather covers and the pleasure of turning those silky-smooth pages.
Poking the touch screen just isn’t the same.
I love my local library. It’s not quite as gorgeous as those pictures you put up, but it is pretty attractive. It has a wide variety of activities for all ages, it has DVDs of movies and television shows, it has computers and newspapers and magazines, and yes, it does have books (both yours and mine). And it will borrow books I want from other libraries if they are available.
My only complaint is that since it has had to make room for all that nonbook stuff, it doesn’t have as much room for books as it used to and the bothers me. A lot of books get tossed fairly quickly, and It does not keep books that used to be considered classics. Not so long ago, it had the complete works of all the major 19th century novelists. Now it only has those books that have been turned into movies or television series.
This I find depressing. Yes, I can get those books to read on an electronic device, but I don’t really enjoy that. I miss the lovely, beautifully bound, complete works of Sir Walter Scott that had shelf space when I was young. I can still remember the feel of the soft leather covers and the pleasure of turning those silky-smooth pages.
Poking the touch screen just isn’t the same.
Andrea, what is that gorgeous library that you show toward the end of the blog? It reminds me of one I saw at a university in Portugal. Stunning.
Our local county library system is less picturesque, but has many convenient branches and lots of materials–and I’m pretty sure no pickled brains. *G*
Andrea, what is that gorgeous library that you show toward the end of the blog? It reminds me of one I saw at a university in Portugal. Stunning.
Our local county library system is less picturesque, but has many convenient branches and lots of materials–and I’m pretty sure no pickled brains. *G*
Andrea, what is that gorgeous library that you show toward the end of the blog? It reminds me of one I saw at a university in Portugal. Stunning.
Our local county library system is less picturesque, but has many convenient branches and lots of materials–and I’m pretty sure no pickled brains. *G*
Andrea, what is that gorgeous library that you show toward the end of the blog? It reminds me of one I saw at a university in Portugal. Stunning.
Our local county library system is less picturesque, but has many convenient branches and lots of materials–and I’m pretty sure no pickled brains. *G*
Andrea, what is that gorgeous library that you show toward the end of the blog? It reminds me of one I saw at a university in Portugal. Stunning.
Our local county library system is less picturesque, but has many convenient branches and lots of materials–and I’m pretty sure no pickled brains. *G*
Lillian, like you I love all the new services and activities that my local library has. But I dearly miss the books that shuffled off the shelves because space is limited. I really is getting harder to find a classic, and as I prefer paper books,I’m not keen on reading them on my kindle.. It’s a dilemma. We need to expand libraries, not shopping centers!
Lillian, like you I love all the new services and activities that my local library has. But I dearly miss the books that shuffled off the shelves because space is limited. I really is getting harder to find a classic, and as I prefer paper books,I’m not keen on reading them on my kindle.. It’s a dilemma. We need to expand libraries, not shopping centers!
Lillian, like you I love all the new services and activities that my local library has. But I dearly miss the books that shuffled off the shelves because space is limited. I really is getting harder to find a classic, and as I prefer paper books,I’m not keen on reading them on my kindle.. It’s a dilemma. We need to expand libraries, not shopping centers!
Lillian, like you I love all the new services and activities that my local library has. But I dearly miss the books that shuffled off the shelves because space is limited. I really is getting harder to find a classic, and as I prefer paper books,I’m not keen on reading them on my kindle.. It’s a dilemma. We need to expand libraries, not shopping centers!
Lillian, like you I love all the new services and activities that my local library has. But I dearly miss the books that shuffled off the shelves because space is limited. I really is getting harder to find a classic, and as I prefer paper books,I’m not keen on reading them on my kindle.. It’s a dilemma. We need to expand libraries, not shopping centers!
Ha—I have yet to visit the brain exhibit, which is said to be one of the foremost collections in the world. I think I’d rather look at a rare books or book arts exhibit! I like science, but only up to a point!
Ha—I have yet to visit the brain exhibit, which is said to be one of the foremost collections in the world. I think I’d rather look at a rare books or book arts exhibit! I like science, but only up to a point!
Ha—I have yet to visit the brain exhibit, which is said to be one of the foremost collections in the world. I think I’d rather look at a rare books or book arts exhibit! I like science, but only up to a point!
Ha—I have yet to visit the brain exhibit, which is said to be one of the foremost collections in the world. I think I’d rather look at a rare books or book arts exhibit! I like science, but only up to a point!
Ha—I have yet to visit the brain exhibit, which is said to be one of the foremost collections in the world. I think I’d rather look at a rare books or book arts exhibit! I like science, but only up to a point!
I also love my local library, but as Lillian also experienced, my library has discarded a LOT of books for the sake of more space for computers and magazines and books and the new ones they buy are very much those associated with movies or TV shows. I mourn the loss of the collection of wonderful historical non-fiction books it used to have. I tried to save some books I particularly valued by borrowing them frequently, hoping that frequency of use might be a criteria they used in deciding whether to keep or toss, but alas, anything that even looked slightly old was tossed out. I even asked if I could request certain books be kept. The answer was no. So, I’m a bit disappointed with some of the changes, but I’d still fight for our right to have local free libraries.
I also love my local library, but as Lillian also experienced, my library has discarded a LOT of books for the sake of more space for computers and magazines and books and the new ones they buy are very much those associated with movies or TV shows. I mourn the loss of the collection of wonderful historical non-fiction books it used to have. I tried to save some books I particularly valued by borrowing them frequently, hoping that frequency of use might be a criteria they used in deciding whether to keep or toss, but alas, anything that even looked slightly old was tossed out. I even asked if I could request certain books be kept. The answer was no. So, I’m a bit disappointed with some of the changes, but I’d still fight for our right to have local free libraries.
I also love my local library, but as Lillian also experienced, my library has discarded a LOT of books for the sake of more space for computers and magazines and books and the new ones they buy are very much those associated with movies or TV shows. I mourn the loss of the collection of wonderful historical non-fiction books it used to have. I tried to save some books I particularly valued by borrowing them frequently, hoping that frequency of use might be a criteria they used in deciding whether to keep or toss, but alas, anything that even looked slightly old was tossed out. I even asked if I could request certain books be kept. The answer was no. So, I’m a bit disappointed with some of the changes, but I’d still fight for our right to have local free libraries.
I also love my local library, but as Lillian also experienced, my library has discarded a LOT of books for the sake of more space for computers and magazines and books and the new ones they buy are very much those associated with movies or TV shows. I mourn the loss of the collection of wonderful historical non-fiction books it used to have. I tried to save some books I particularly valued by borrowing them frequently, hoping that frequency of use might be a criteria they used in deciding whether to keep or toss, but alas, anything that even looked slightly old was tossed out. I even asked if I could request certain books be kept. The answer was no. So, I’m a bit disappointed with some of the changes, but I’d still fight for our right to have local free libraries.
I also love my local library, but as Lillian also experienced, my library has discarded a LOT of books for the sake of more space for computers and magazines and books and the new ones they buy are very much those associated with movies or TV shows. I mourn the loss of the collection of wonderful historical non-fiction books it used to have. I tried to save some books I particularly valued by borrowing them frequently, hoping that frequency of use might be a criteria they used in deciding whether to keep or toss, but alas, anything that even looked slightly old was tossed out. I even asked if I could request certain books be kept. The answer was no. So, I’m a bit disappointed with some of the changes, but I’d still fight for our right to have local free libraries.
I love our library system. Since we moved here it has expanded its home library building. So far I haven’t noticed any loss of the number of books because of the newer activities, although some older books are no longer on the shelves. Some were paperbacks which died and were no longer replaceable. I believe that others were not being checked out.
The library remains a go-to place for books as well as for other activities. There are branch locations in other towns. I haven’t visited these, but believe all are well stocked.Also we have inter-library loan, so I can get books from other libraries. The library also has well-stocked bookmobiles that go to several locations in our town and also to locations in surrounding smaller towns.
I love our library system. Since we moved here it has expanded its home library building. So far I haven’t noticed any loss of the number of books because of the newer activities, although some older books are no longer on the shelves. Some were paperbacks which died and were no longer replaceable. I believe that others were not being checked out.
The library remains a go-to place for books as well as for other activities. There are branch locations in other towns. I haven’t visited these, but believe all are well stocked.Also we have inter-library loan, so I can get books from other libraries. The library also has well-stocked bookmobiles that go to several locations in our town and also to locations in surrounding smaller towns.
I love our library system. Since we moved here it has expanded its home library building. So far I haven’t noticed any loss of the number of books because of the newer activities, although some older books are no longer on the shelves. Some were paperbacks which died and were no longer replaceable. I believe that others were not being checked out.
The library remains a go-to place for books as well as for other activities. There are branch locations in other towns. I haven’t visited these, but believe all are well stocked.Also we have inter-library loan, so I can get books from other libraries. The library also has well-stocked bookmobiles that go to several locations in our town and also to locations in surrounding smaller towns.
I love our library system. Since we moved here it has expanded its home library building. So far I haven’t noticed any loss of the number of books because of the newer activities, although some older books are no longer on the shelves. Some were paperbacks which died and were no longer replaceable. I believe that others were not being checked out.
The library remains a go-to place for books as well as for other activities. There are branch locations in other towns. I haven’t visited these, but believe all are well stocked.Also we have inter-library loan, so I can get books from other libraries. The library also has well-stocked bookmobiles that go to several locations in our town and also to locations in surrounding smaller towns.
I love our library system. Since we moved here it has expanded its home library building. So far I haven’t noticed any loss of the number of books because of the newer activities, although some older books are no longer on the shelves. Some were paperbacks which died and were no longer replaceable. I believe that others were not being checked out.
The library remains a go-to place for books as well as for other activities. There are branch locations in other towns. I haven’t visited these, but believe all are well stocked.Also we have inter-library loan, so I can get books from other libraries. The library also has well-stocked bookmobiles that go to several locations in our town and also to locations in surrounding smaller towns.
My public library has changed a lot in the last several years, as have many, but one change I am ENORMOUSLY grateful for is the increase in available digital audio titles. I have a family, work full-time, run regularly, and am trying to write a book myself, so there is NO time left to read (I try at night, but the book usually hits me in the face when I fall asleep, and my husband has to take it from me and turn out the light). But with the audio books playing through my phone, I can listen whenever my body is busy but my mind relatively free (makes running much more bearable, walking the dog less of a chore, and even dishes and laundry become tolerable). I do not want to own these digital titles, but listening to them very frequently leads me to purchase the titles on paper, and I’ve been able to “read” so many of all of your titles (almost all of the Wenches are covered by my library), for which I am eternally grateful!!
My public library has changed a lot in the last several years, as have many, but one change I am ENORMOUSLY grateful for is the increase in available digital audio titles. I have a family, work full-time, run regularly, and am trying to write a book myself, so there is NO time left to read (I try at night, but the book usually hits me in the face when I fall asleep, and my husband has to take it from me and turn out the light). But with the audio books playing through my phone, I can listen whenever my body is busy but my mind relatively free (makes running much more bearable, walking the dog less of a chore, and even dishes and laundry become tolerable). I do not want to own these digital titles, but listening to them very frequently leads me to purchase the titles on paper, and I’ve been able to “read” so many of all of your titles (almost all of the Wenches are covered by my library), for which I am eternally grateful!!
My public library has changed a lot in the last several years, as have many, but one change I am ENORMOUSLY grateful for is the increase in available digital audio titles. I have a family, work full-time, run regularly, and am trying to write a book myself, so there is NO time left to read (I try at night, but the book usually hits me in the face when I fall asleep, and my husband has to take it from me and turn out the light). But with the audio books playing through my phone, I can listen whenever my body is busy but my mind relatively free (makes running much more bearable, walking the dog less of a chore, and even dishes and laundry become tolerable). I do not want to own these digital titles, but listening to them very frequently leads me to purchase the titles on paper, and I’ve been able to “read” so many of all of your titles (almost all of the Wenches are covered by my library), for which I am eternally grateful!!
My public library has changed a lot in the last several years, as have many, but one change I am ENORMOUSLY grateful for is the increase in available digital audio titles. I have a family, work full-time, run regularly, and am trying to write a book myself, so there is NO time left to read (I try at night, but the book usually hits me in the face when I fall asleep, and my husband has to take it from me and turn out the light). But with the audio books playing through my phone, I can listen whenever my body is busy but my mind relatively free (makes running much more bearable, walking the dog less of a chore, and even dishes and laundry become tolerable). I do not want to own these digital titles, but listening to them very frequently leads me to purchase the titles on paper, and I’ve been able to “read” so many of all of your titles (almost all of the Wenches are covered by my library), for which I am eternally grateful!!
My public library has changed a lot in the last several years, as have many, but one change I am ENORMOUSLY grateful for is the increase in available digital audio titles. I have a family, work full-time, run regularly, and am trying to write a book myself, so there is NO time left to read (I try at night, but the book usually hits me in the face when I fall asleep, and my husband has to take it from me and turn out the light). But with the audio books playing through my phone, I can listen whenever my body is busy but my mind relatively free (makes running much more bearable, walking the dog less of a chore, and even dishes and laundry become tolerable). I do not want to own these digital titles, but listening to them very frequently leads me to purchase the titles on paper, and I’ve been able to “read” so many of all of your titles (almost all of the Wenches are covered by my library), for which I am eternally grateful!!
The change to digital makes it hard to borrow books on interlibrary loan. The concentration of digital format means fewer places have the print copies of academic type books which cost too much for a regular person to buy. I also work in a company library which has been reduced to 0ne tenth the size it was when I started working here. I wish people wouldn’t consider paper and digital mutually exclusive.
Also , many people are denied access to books because they do not have a means of reading digital ones. Few of the libraries I visit have museum parts. The central building of the system has a floor dedicated to antique/ historical things but I haven’t visited in a while.
The change to digital makes it hard to borrow books on interlibrary loan. The concentration of digital format means fewer places have the print copies of academic type books which cost too much for a regular person to buy. I also work in a company library which has been reduced to 0ne tenth the size it was when I started working here. I wish people wouldn’t consider paper and digital mutually exclusive.
Also , many people are denied access to books because they do not have a means of reading digital ones. Few of the libraries I visit have museum parts. The central building of the system has a floor dedicated to antique/ historical things but I haven’t visited in a while.
The change to digital makes it hard to borrow books on interlibrary loan. The concentration of digital format means fewer places have the print copies of academic type books which cost too much for a regular person to buy. I also work in a company library which has been reduced to 0ne tenth the size it was when I started working here. I wish people wouldn’t consider paper and digital mutually exclusive.
Also , many people are denied access to books because they do not have a means of reading digital ones. Few of the libraries I visit have museum parts. The central building of the system has a floor dedicated to antique/ historical things but I haven’t visited in a while.
The change to digital makes it hard to borrow books on interlibrary loan. The concentration of digital format means fewer places have the print copies of academic type books which cost too much for a regular person to buy. I also work in a company library which has been reduced to 0ne tenth the size it was when I started working here. I wish people wouldn’t consider paper and digital mutually exclusive.
Also , many people are denied access to books because they do not have a means of reading digital ones. Few of the libraries I visit have museum parts. The central building of the system has a floor dedicated to antique/ historical things but I haven’t visited in a while.
The change to digital makes it hard to borrow books on interlibrary loan. The concentration of digital format means fewer places have the print copies of academic type books which cost too much for a regular person to buy. I also work in a company library which has been reduced to 0ne tenth the size it was when I started working here. I wish people wouldn’t consider paper and digital mutually exclusive.
Also , many people are denied access to books because they do not have a means of reading digital ones. Few of the libraries I visit have museum parts. The central building of the system has a floor dedicated to antique/ historical things but I haven’t visited in a while.
Anne, I feel the same way about seeing older books disappear from the shelves, especially less well-known ones that are the wonderful surprises that readers can discover. The richness of reading is diluted when it is only the new and familiar that one find.
I’m lucky in that my town has three libraries in its system, and the historic one near my house (which has stained glass windows and old wrought iron shelving in the stacks) keeps many of the older books, while the other branches feature the new ones. But I know that there is still a slow loss.
Anne, I feel the same way about seeing older books disappear from the shelves, especially less well-known ones that are the wonderful surprises that readers can discover. The richness of reading is diluted when it is only the new and familiar that one find.
I’m lucky in that my town has three libraries in its system, and the historic one near my house (which has stained glass windows and old wrought iron shelving in the stacks) keeps many of the older books, while the other branches feature the new ones. But I know that there is still a slow loss.
Anne, I feel the same way about seeing older books disappear from the shelves, especially less well-known ones that are the wonderful surprises that readers can discover. The richness of reading is diluted when it is only the new and familiar that one find.
I’m lucky in that my town has three libraries in its system, and the historic one near my house (which has stained glass windows and old wrought iron shelving in the stacks) keeps many of the older books, while the other branches feature the new ones. But I know that there is still a slow loss.
Anne, I feel the same way about seeing older books disappear from the shelves, especially less well-known ones that are the wonderful surprises that readers can discover. The richness of reading is diluted when it is only the new and familiar that one find.
I’m lucky in that my town has three libraries in its system, and the historic one near my house (which has stained glass windows and old wrought iron shelving in the stacks) keeps many of the older books, while the other branches feature the new ones. But I know that there is still a slow loss.
Anne, I feel the same way about seeing older books disappear from the shelves, especially less well-known ones that are the wonderful surprises that readers can discover. The richness of reading is diluted when it is only the new and familiar that one find.
I’m lucky in that my town has three libraries in its system, and the historic one near my house (which has stained glass windows and old wrought iron shelving in the stacks) keeps many of the older books, while the other branches feature the new ones. But I know that there is still a slow loss.
That’s wonderful, Sue! My town’s libraries are really active too, and very well stocked with books, videos, periodicals, etc. I love seeing them filled with people when I visit.
That’s wonderful, Sue! My town’s libraries are really active too, and very well stocked with books, videos, periodicals, etc. I love seeing them filled with people when I visit.
That’s wonderful, Sue! My town’s libraries are really active too, and very well stocked with books, videos, periodicals, etc. I love seeing them filled with people when I visit.
That’s wonderful, Sue! My town’s libraries are really active too, and very well stocked with books, videos, periodicals, etc. I love seeing them filled with people when I visit.
That’s wonderful, Sue! My town’s libraries are really active too, and very well stocked with books, videos, periodicals, etc. I love seeing them filled with people when I visit.
So glad you have that option, Margaret. Modern life really does make it hard to carve out reading time. (I laughed at your falling asleep with a book—that happens to me a LOT!)
Good luck with writing your book!
So glad you have that option, Margaret. Modern life really does make it hard to carve out reading time. (I laughed at your falling asleep with a book—that happens to me a LOT!)
Good luck with writing your book!
So glad you have that option, Margaret. Modern life really does make it hard to carve out reading time. (I laughed at your falling asleep with a book—that happens to me a LOT!)
Good luck with writing your book!
So glad you have that option, Margaret. Modern life really does make it hard to carve out reading time. (I laughed at your falling asleep with a book—that happens to me a LOT!)
Good luck with writing your book!
So glad you have that option, Margaret. Modern life really does make it hard to carve out reading time. (I laughed at your falling asleep with a book—that happens to me a LOT!)
Good luck with writing your book!
Digital does create its own set of problems, Nancy. I prefer paper, so don’t like to see the balance keep tipping. And the issue with expensive academic books, many of which aren’t produced in e-format, is important. Your point about not everyone having devices which can read e-books also highlights the point that libraries are meant to give everyone free access to books and ideas
Digital does create its own set of problems, Nancy. I prefer paper, so don’t like to see the balance keep tipping. And the issue with expensive academic books, many of which aren’t produced in e-format, is important. Your point about not everyone having devices which can read e-books also highlights the point that libraries are meant to give everyone free access to books and ideas
Digital does create its own set of problems, Nancy. I prefer paper, so don’t like to see the balance keep tipping. And the issue with expensive academic books, many of which aren’t produced in e-format, is important. Your point about not everyone having devices which can read e-books also highlights the point that libraries are meant to give everyone free access to books and ideas
Digital does create its own set of problems, Nancy. I prefer paper, so don’t like to see the balance keep tipping. And the issue with expensive academic books, many of which aren’t produced in e-format, is important. Your point about not everyone having devices which can read e-books also highlights the point that libraries are meant to give everyone free access to books and ideas
Digital does create its own set of problems, Nancy. I prefer paper, so don’t like to see the balance keep tipping. And the issue with expensive academic books, many of which aren’t produced in e-format, is important. Your point about not everyone having devices which can read e-books also highlights the point that libraries are meant to give everyone free access to books and ideas