Of books and other things

Libraries have so much more to offer besides books these days which is great.  I love using databases for up to date information on current issues (and the ease at which they can be searched now).  It beats flipping through print journals or magazines by a landslide.  I also really like having access to online encyclopedias so I can quickly find background information on a topic or so that I can double check something I am having trouble remembering.  And of course, there is the amazing dvd collection we have that's filled with films, documentaries and live performances of artistic works that we simply don't have access to at our local cinema or theater.  But, and I realize that this makes me sound old fashioned, but books are still the best thing that a library has to offer.

Now, I'm biased of course.  I love to read.  Always have.  I can't remember learning to read per se; although I do remember not being able to read.  It just sort of happened.  One day I couldn't and the next day I could, or at least that's how it felt and how I remember it.  Libraries offer everyone access to all sorts of books that they would never be able to purchase (or store) on their own.  (Well, maybe if you are uber rich and have a library like in the Beast's castle. If so, can we be friends?) But it is more than just access to them that libraries provide.  You have trained professionals there who enjoy reading and finding information and they want to help you find what you are looking for and to discuss those books with you. (Gentle reminder that if you enjoy that to read our last post about Booked for Lunch).

For some time now pundits have been crowing about how print is dead and that the new digital age will usurp print books.  Sorry, but no.  Print is not going away anytime soon, not, at least, for books people read as opposed to peruse.  And it's a good thing too because studies have found that people retain more information when reading it in print versus online.  Check out this article from the New Republic on the subject.  Why Digital Reading is No Substitute for Print

I encourage everyone to visit their local library or libraries.  We are an academic library so we don't have the same types of programming that public libraries do, and our fiction collection, while nothing to sneer at, isn't as big as many public libraries can offer.  Our nonfiction collection on the other hand, is out of this world (not to brag or anything).  Libraries exist to serve their patrons and in turn, we need our patrons to support us all in order for us to continue to receive funding.  Even if you aren't much of a reader, there is so much that a library can offer you.  Check on out today.  You'll be pleasantly surprised.