Public Library

The Paws

Hi all,

Do you go to your local public library? and where is the best/worst library in the country?

Just being nosey!!!

FreudianSlippers

The Paws wrote: »

Hi all,

Do you go to your local public library? and where is the best/worst library in the country?

Just being nosey!!!

Never actually used a public library, but I always imagine that one in Ilac is garbage.

Hrududu

I went to visit mine for the first time last week and found it shut for renovations.

amen

Use it all the time as do my children.
Staff are great will order books if they don't have them.

King Felix

OisinT wrote: »

Never actually used a public library, but I always imagine that one in Ilac is garbage.

It's not bad. Typical library, plenty of books, good selection.

Wazdakka

The Paws wrote: »

Do you go to your local public library?

Why does that seem such an odd question to ask via the internet..

alwaysadub

Nope. Went to join once bout a year ago and needed photo id and proof of address to join. None of which i had on me. So i never bothered going back.

E.T.

Yep, all the time. I read a few books a week so it's brilliant, saved me a fortune over the last few years. Can't remember how much to join - less than a fiver anyway.

PeterIanStaker

I use my local one and I have to say its great, no complaints.

orourkeda

OisinT wrote: »

Never actually used a public library, but I always imagine that one in Ilac is garbage.

How would you seeing as you've never used it?

The Paws

Wazdakka wrote: »

Why does that seem such an odd question to ask via the internet..

LOL - I thought It is an interesting question!!
I use ucc library all the time even during the summer!...and my locals too. I love looking around any library!!

I used the credit union letter back then and it was grand.
I know it is hard when some of you are renting and dont have the address to prove.....any solutions?

AnnyHallsal

Hrududu wrote: »

I went to visit mine for the first time last week and found it shut for renovations.

Rathmines?

K4t

The public library in Castlebar is fabulous but it's in Castlebar.

SadieSue

I don't use the library near us because its 99% French books and the only English books they have are romance novels. I do use the national archive which is located downtown. You can order books there if they don't have them and they have a massive English book selection to choose from. Also has a great DVD selection.

strokemyclover

K4t wrote: »

The public library in Castlebar is fabulous but it's in Castlebar.

Where was that again?

biko

The one on Augustine Street is ok, or was it Middle Street.
I don't get books there any more, internet gives me plenty to read,

K4t

strokemyclover wrote: »

Where was that again?

Town

Clare Bear

Just joined the Malahide Library last week. It's great. Been completely refurbished. And it's free. Good to get back reading again.

Jev/N

K4t wrote: »

The public library in Castlebar is fabulous but it's in Castlebar.

LOL :pac:

IMMA CHARGIN MAH LAZER

I use the Tallaght one quite a lot. The library is quite a good and underused resource in this country in my opinion.

I use it once a month to get audio books and to get books on cooking, photography, science and technology stuff, as well as the odd novel

I the library.

Lollers

Blanchardstown library is great, brilliant dvd collection, lots of tv boxsets, BBC comedys, and classic films including This is Spinal Tap.

bonerm

Tried joining a library once several years ago. I got very organised and made a list of all the books I had intended to read in my lifetime (literally a growing list of hundreds of titles) yet I found that the place never had the ones I was looking for (not to mention so much stuff they didn't own copies of or stuff just not returned or even stuff that was meant to be inside the place according to their computers that wasn't actually there or couldn't be located.)

It was just more trouble than it was worth. Now I just buy whatever books I'm after and save myself the bother. I guess libraries might be ok if you were happy enough to just go in and pick something off the shelves. But if you actually had then intention of lending something specific then it was a pain in the ass.

Callan57

I use my local library all the time & find it fantastic & all for a couple of EUR ... best value in the country.
They have a super online site & you can do renewals & place requests or get them to hold a book for you. Also I love that I can check that the books I want are available & then I can just go in with my list & pick them off the shelf -Hardbacks anyway, paperbacks are very hit & miss.
Although I love spending a hour from time to time just browsing the shelves and hitting on a book I'd forgotten or never heard of.
Fantastic service - now if they could only get the paperback section into alphabetical order I'd be truly happy.

BluesBerry

http://www.borrowbooks.ie/

I use the library all the time that link can show you what county has what books you can order them and pick them up in your library

Also you can download books for 3 weeks and read them from your pc

Edit Dublin libraries give free membership but other counties vary on the charges and fees

AnnyHallsal

BluesBerry wrote: »

http://www.borrowbooks.ie/

Also you can download books for 3 weeks and read them from your pc

Wow, that's super!

Scarydoll

Yes, I get books every couple of weeks or so. The one where I live is small and doesn't have a great selection of books.

ismiseuisce

I mainly use my college library but whenever it's closed I use Pearse Street library. It doesn't have a great book selection but there is a great reading room upstairs.

Dunjohn

Cork Library wouldn't let me join because I was only staying down there for two months and I needed to be permanent. Nice place, though, I'd go in on my lunch breaks.

Galway's good, a bit smallish and can be noisy sometimes. Kids need to go through the main library to reach their section, the staff don't talk quietly and there was even a Brahms recital in there one time I was trying to study, but bad points are always easier to remember than good.

Swirls

For the record, the Ilac Centre library (which is the "Central Library" in Dublin) is fantastic. Ok, it's a bit dated. But the resources are great. Especially the music library.

I believe there are plans to move it to the Gate Theatre building, that'd be great.

falan

A new library opened 12 months ago literally 30 meters from my front door. Still haven't been there yet, though i hear its very good.

Boxoffrogs

IMMA CHARGIN MAH LAZER wrote: »

I use the Tallaght one quite a lot. The library is quite a good and underused resource in this country in my opinion.

I use it once a month to get audio books and to get books on cooking, photography, science and technology stuff, as well as the odd novel

I the library.

Tallaght is probably one of the best. I'm a member of South Dublin libraries and once you have a card, you can use any of their libraries so would use Tallaght a fair bit. Their website is excellent and they will go to almost any lengths to get you a book, even one that is out of print, excellent resource!

ReacherCreature

I love my local library. It can get noisy with all the kids but it's a great place other than that. Lot of books, lot of really good historical/research books and nice set up of tables and chairs. Went there last year and the year before to study for exams. Would have no problem paying for membership each year etc.

My other library is UCC and that in itself is immense. Great place too.

Gordon Gecko

Live between two fantastic libraries (Rathmines and Pembroke) and both are f***ing closed for renovations, and in the case of Rathmines, there's a dispute over it so NO work is being done at the moment......

MardiB

IMMA CHARGIN MAH LAZER wrote: »

I use the Tallaght one quite a lot. The library is quite a good and underused resource in this country in my opinion.

I use it once a month to get audio books and to get books on cooking, photography, science and technology stuff, as well as the odd novel

I the library.

I work there:)

MardiB

diddledum wrote: »

Tallaght is probably one of the best. I'm a member of South Dublin libraries and once you have a card, you can use any of their libraries so would use Tallaght a fair bit. Their website is excellent and they will go to almost any lengths to get you a book, even one that is out of print, excellent resource!

Nice to know we are appreciated.

bonerm

Actually, while were on the subject do public libraries accept donated books? I usually buy anything I want to read and just throw em in a box afterwards where they're no use to anyone. They'd be doing me a favour to take em and it'd be good if other people got use out of them.

Revolution9

Always use my local libary.
Saved me so much money over the years

Callan57

bonerm wrote: »

Actually, while were on the subject do public libraries accept donated books? I usually buy anything I want to read and just throw em in a box afterwards where they're no use to anyone. They'd be doing me a favour to take em and it'd be good if other people got use out of them.

I asked the question in my local library and was told no but Tipperary library take them from a friend of mine .. so it seems to depend.
I normally give them to the Oxfam shop & buy from them aswell.

vicecreamsundae

i love my local library, although i've just moved back to dublin and am having trouble getting proof of address to join a library here.

like someone else said, borrowbooks.ie is a great resource if you're looking for a book your local library doesn't have!

i'm starting my librarian masters tomorrow, so i'd want to be a fan of libraries!

uwala

Dublin Libraries:

Open 11-4, lunch 12-3. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Half day Thursday. Closed for the entire month of May. And June.
Overstaffed with underworked, overpaid, lazy grumps who shout at eachother in between constant "entitlement" breaks and work-to-rule walkouts. Any requests met with rude tantrums and huffs, followed by a huge hysterical scene.
Screaming brats run in all directions 24 hours a day. Toys scattered all over the floor.
Full of immigrants hogging all internet connections when not having shouting conversations with eachother about how to con the welfare/visa/"refugee" system.
Pathetic book collection consisting mainly of Mills and Boon and 1970s pulp.
Inadequate seats arranged in bizarre layouts in even more bizarre locations. Students must share one desk between 10.
Also functions as an Art/Photography Gallery, Language Teaching Centre, Conference centre, Social discussion group centre, Playschool, Music Practice Room, Coffee Shop, Public Speaking Practice Centre, Refugee Centre and Internet Shop.

nibtrix

bonerm wrote: »

Actually, while were on the subject do public libraries accept donated books? I usually buy anything I want to read and just throw em in a box afterwards where they're no use to anyone. They'd be doing me a favour to take em and it'd be good if other people got use out of them.

Release them into the wild!! http://www.bookcrossing.com/

geeky

uwala wrote: »

Dublin Libraries:

Open 11-4, lunch 12-3. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Half day Thursday. Closed for the entire month of May. And June.
Overstaffed with underworked, overpaid, lazy grumps who shout at eachother in between constant "entitlement" breaks and work-to-rule walkouts. Any requests met with rude tantrums and huffs, followed by a huge hysterical scene.
Screaming brats run in all directions 24 hours a day. Toys scattered all over the floor.
Full of immigrants hogging all internet connections when not having shouting conversations with eachother about how to con the welfare/visa/"refugee" system.
Pathetic book collection consisting mainly of Mills and Boon and 1970s pulp.
Inadequate seats arranged in bizarre layouts in even more bizarre locations. Students must share one desk between 10.
Also functions as an Art/Photography Gallery, Language Teaching Centre, Conference centre, Social discussion group centre, Playschool, Music Practice Room, Coffee Shop, Public Speaking Practice Centre, Refugee Centre and Internet Shop.

It's increasingly hard to tell if some AH posts are actually serious or rather brilliant pieces of parody.

BluesBerry

nibtrix wrote: »

Release them into the wild!! http://www.bookcrossing.com/

Bookcrossing is fun I have released a couple of them
Some librarys have a stand where you can leave released books
Blanchardstown library is one of them , bookcrossing have a list online stating what librarys do it

nibtrix

BluesBerry wrote: »

bookcrossing have a list online stating what librarys do it

Yeah, and there's usually some pubs and cafes that do it as well. It's great fun tracking books you've released, one of my books was dropped off in Dublin and ended up in Japan...

cynder

Havent been to a library in 9 years. I buy all my books because i like keeping them and i dont like the feel of used books. I have too many and so i bought an ereader, i now download all my books. I've bought and read 36 so far this year.

Pauleta

Do you just need i.d and proof of address to join a public library?

Revolution9

Pauleta wrote: »

Do you just need i.d and proof of address to join a public library?

When I joined Coolock libary all I had on me was a student card. No proof of address or anything like that.
I'm fairly certain one is needed, maybe the chaps in Coolock just don't care if anyone steals books!

Asphyxia

Yes I love the library it's so handy, I used to go to the one in my town but it is rubbish and the staff are not helpful and just stare at you like your about to rob stuff. I am loving the Source in Thurles Tipperary, I used to work there and that's what made me love it. Nice friendly staff, wireless internet and they have a great archive system that I have found use full.

Bradley N

grindelwald wrote: »

Havent been to a library in 9 years. I buy all my books because i like keeping them and i dont like the feel of used books. I have too many and so i bought an ereader, i now download all my books. I've bought and read 36 so far this year.

Do you think the Public Library will still exist in 20 years? or will everything be on the Internet and e-readers?

JohnMarston

Bradley N wrote: »

Do you think the Public Library will still exist in 20 years? or will everything be on the Internet and e-readers?

I would be against it. While digital media is handy, i like having physical copies of books to sit down and read. A public centre of learning will always be kept open if some shape or form.

Killer Pigeon

The Paws wrote: »

Hi all,

Do you go to your local public library? and where is the best/worst library in the country?

Just being nosey!!!

Public libraries should be privatised. Besides we have the internet nowadays if your desperate for knowledge.