World, Writing, Wealth discussion

A shout out to millennials!

Millennials in America are more likely to have visited a public library in the past year than any other adult generation.

A new analysis of Pew Research Center survey data from fall 2016 finds that 53% of Millennials (those ages 18 to 35 at the time) say they used a library or bookmobile in the previous 12 months. That compares with 45% of Gen Xers, 43% of Baby Boomers and 36% of those in the Silent Generation. (It is worth noting that the question wording specifically focused on use of public libraries, not on-campus academic libraries.)



(http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/...)

My local library is rubbish.

It is housed in a warehouse, and the shelving is industrial metal shelves lined up in the middle. It looks like it's all going to be disassembled and shipped out in a few hours.

They have books that have sequels, like first parts of a trilogy, but do not have the sequels. When I tried to donate the missing sequels, I was told they didn't accept donations thankyouverymuch.

They very often do not have books that I want to read. Admittedly, I read "niche" genres like Fantasy and Science Fiction, but I would expect SOME of the more popular books to be on the shelves.

They don't invest in new releases, unless it's chick lit or romance. So even the more mainstream titles aren't available.

Despite all of the above, it costs me over $20 to get a reading pass for one year.

No thanks.

Libraries are free in Australia and very good. I am a regular visitor and love being able to get the latest books for free. In addition they have lots of other activities and guest speakers. It's also nice to go in and see my books on the shelf!

I am on the board of trustees for our local library. We are blessed with a wonderful library director! She stays on top of the book trends and does her best to get new books that people are asking for. She also comes up with excellent programs that encourage the public to take advantage of what the library has to offer. As a result, the locals were very supportive when we asked for a millage specifically to support our library and voted overwhelmingly to approve the millage tax.

Kat, I'm so sorry you don't have a free library where you can get the books you want to read. Here in Georgia (U.S.), we have a statewide system from which we can order books online from any library in the state. It may take a week or so for the books to arrive, but there have been very few books I want to read that I haven't been able to find. If I had to buy all the books I read, I'd be in trouble. Thanks again, Ben Franklin :-)

Wake County public libraries are free here in NC too. I would imagine they're more popular with Millennials because they've actually updated these places to the 21st century with banks of computers and free wifi. But it's not just the Millennials I see in there taking advantage, but many from the low income bracket who can't afford internet service in their homes. Where the internet has become increasingly important to students, it's great those at the bottom have a place to go to do their research and facilitate with their homework instead of getting left behind.

It has bern a year. Our library is free to use and includes ebooks. Other events occur there too. I haven't been because i am annoyed that they integrated the science fiction into fiction. Mystery remains separate but I have to look through all fiction now when I want to browse sci-fi.

I was at my library today, and we are incredibly lucky that the County Council and local University went into partnership 5 years ago.

http://www.thehiveworcester.org/facts...

Lizzie, I can understand your frustration, as you can't just go in and browse the sci-fi books. I get a little peeved when the ladies at the desk have friends come in, and they make a lot of noise. I thought librarians were supposed to whisper :o

Scout wrote: "Kat, I'm so sorry you don't have a free library where you can get the books you want to read."

When I was at school, it was brilliant. It was housed in a medieval watermill, and had lots of nooks and crannies where you could disappear into and read for hours. It was also free for under 18s.

Unfortunately it burned down twice, and now it's housed in the warehouse and they never quite managed to re-stock everything they lost in the two fires. It's like the ugly step-child of the council now.

Also, I just checked, and I CAN order books from other libraries, but I have to pay for shipping it back and forth. It seems they only have a very limited budget, hence all the fees.

While our libraries are free and most public libraries have some interconnected sharing system, the amount and types of books and materials varies depending on the tax base (affluency). I Lived In A Town In Wisconsin That HAD THE funds For Immediate NEW releases in Hardcover AND New Music And Movies. A Deceased Resident left A trust For large print Fiction, which was great allowing Me to read WIthout Glasses. My Current Town, while a county LIBRARY In A retirement area has little In large Print.

MY daughter is a public school teacher In economically deprived areas OF A CITY. Some dont have school libraries. She has been receivung books from Baen for her students in response TO A letter she SENT THEM.

In the 60s and 70s school libraries kept me sane. One Car family, Religious Stepmom Who Wasnt In Favor Of Unregulated Reading Materials. Local public Library Was Only When We Had A report Requiring Sources. I Volunteered At My School Library To Avoid Study Hall. In College I Workex Parttime For Rutgers University Library As A Research Assistant.

My End Point Here Being Libraries Have Always Been There, Often A Refuge, And Only Upon the Advent And Integration Of A Tablet And Kindle did I Stop visiting. Before That, I Was There Every 2 weeks.

Note - This fire Tablet Keyboard Keeps Doing Crazy Caps Shifting, So Please Ignore Case In My Post. No hidden Message.