05 January 2009

Musing Mondays: Libraries


Here's today's Musing Mondays hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page. For the full meme and for everyone's responses, click here.

Do you have a system for borrowing out books from the library? Do you know what you're going to borrow before you get there? How often do you borrow out books?

I never thought about it before, but I don't really have a system. However, I use my library in a few ways.

Digital downloads. The most common way I borrow books from the library is by downloading audiobooks directly from its website. I try to remember to see what's new at least every couple weeks.

Online searching. When I discover a book I want to read but don't want to buy, I search the library's online catalog. If they have the book, then I place a reserve on it. That way, I can pop into town, run in to the front desk, and pick up my book. Easy as can be.

Monthly newsletters. My library has monthly email newsletters highlighting books in various genres. I get the YA, historical fiction, biography, and mystery newsletters. They come out once a month.

Challenges and activities. My library also hosts challenges and other activities. I always sign up for the reading challenges and sometimes sign up for the activities.

Interlibrary loan. I take advantage of our library's free interlibrary loan service. I can make a request through email. Once the book is found, the library informs me via email, and I can go in to pick up the book. I use ILL for both print books and audio. It's a great service.

Used book sale. Whenever I'm at the library to pick up or return a book, I try to remember to scope out its ongoing book sale.

I rarely just roam the stacks in the library because I don't seem to have make the time to do this. But I do check books out several times a month using one of the means I listed.

13 comments:

Anonymous,  1/5/09, 8:09 AM  

Wow! You're extremely involved with your library. It's great to see it so engaging with the public. I wish my libraries had more reading activities for grown ups.

Brooke from The Bluestocking Guide 1/5/09, 8:12 AM  

It's amazing how library systems have so much automated these days.

bermudaonion 1/5/09, 8:22 AM  

I don't think our library has audio downloads, but I'm going to look right now. That would be awesome.

Lisa (Southern Girl Reads) 1/5/09, 8:52 AM  

Because I no longer drive, I always have to arrange for someone to take me to the library, so I don't get to just linger and browse all the different books. I would LOVE to do that! Usually, I've requested a book and when it comes im I run in and out just to get that book. Unfortunatly, most of my 'drivers' aren't into reading, so they could care less about the library. Their loss! :)

Robin M 1/5/09, 10:09 AM  

Great post with a lot of information. I just don't utilize the library because I don't care for the feel of used, overly handled books. I prefer to buy.

Darlene 1/5/09, 11:14 AM  

Looks like you use your library a lot. We do have digital downloads at ours although I've not used them yet. Libraries have sure come a long way from what they were.

Mindy Withrow 1/5/09, 11:57 AM  

Beth, from your profile description of your interests and the way you use your library, it seems we have a lot in common! Thanks for dropping by my blog on Saturday. I've added you to my blogroll.

Stacy 1/5/09, 2:10 PM  

What an awesome library...downloadable books and challenges. Your library should talk to my library:)

Anonymous,  1/5/09, 4:30 PM  

Your library sounds amazing!

Anonymous,  1/5/09, 5:04 PM  

Oh I forgot about the library book sale! I have read a lot of rare and out of print books by ordering from public library stock. But I have encountered long queue for new fiction. Recently I am delighted to discover that as a faculty/staff, I can check out books from campus for up to the whole semester!

Beth F 1/5/09, 5:21 PM  

I am lucky to have a decent public library. The library benefits from being located in a college town, I'm sure.

One thing I wanted to stress in my post is that there are several ways to use the library beside just checking out a book.

Matt: One of the few things I miss about university life is the library, especially being able to check out books for the entire semester and having a carrel. Sigh.

Unknown 1/5/09, 6:16 PM  

Oh - I totally forgot about the used book sales! I've gotten some great books for 10 cents a piece - or we can fill a bag for $1!

We currently don't have digital download available, but it will be coming when the remodel is finished next winter!

Kim 1/6/09, 11:54 PM  

Sounds like you use your library very effectively!
*smiles*
Kim

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