Public Library

ReacherCreature · 12-09-2010 12:54AM

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 · 12-09-2010 01:12AM

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 · 12-09-2010 01:31AM

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 · 12-09-2010 01:33AM

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 · 12-09-2010 02:38AM

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 · 12-09-2010 02:46AM

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

Callan57 · 12-09-2010 06:36PM

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 · 12-09-2010 09:58PM

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 · 13-09-2010 02:41AM

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 · 13-09-2010 09:05AM

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 · 13-09-2010 09:09AM

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 · 13-09-2010 09:11AM

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 · 13-09-2010 09:19AM

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 · 13-09-2010 09:28AM

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 · 13-09-2010 04:18PM

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

Revolution9 · 13-09-2010 04:53PM

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 · 13-09-2010 05:00PM

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 · 13-06-2011 11:55AM

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 · 13-06-2011 12:04PM

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 · 13-06-2011 12:05PM

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.

Callan57 · 13-06-2011 12:09PM

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

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

Not everyone has Internet access & not everyone can afford ebooks
IMO there will (hopefully) be a place for public libraries for a long, long time to come ... no doubt the format will continue to change somewhat as it has done down the years.

JohnMarston · 13-06-2011 12:10PM

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

Public libraries should be privatised.

Then it wouldn't be a public library anymore.

Killer Pigeon · 13-06-2011 12:12PM

JohnMarston wrote: »

Then it wouldn't be a public library anymore.

No, it'd be Monty Burns' Knowledge Institute.

wild_cat · 13-06-2011 12:14PM

JohnMarston wrote: »

Then it wouldn't be a public library anymore.

Nope, it would be a book shop.

BengaLover · 13-06-2011 12:15PM

My local library has EVERYTHING, free internet, MP3 audio books, casette audio books, CD audio books, national newspapers, DVD's, music CD;s..oh, and er, books too.
But what is it with the library, does anyone else need a wee as soon as they go into one or is it just me..

Shenshen · 13-06-2011 12:18PM

I used to, but we moved to Cobh about 2 years ago.

I went into the library once, and left close to tears at the state of the building (old, smelling of rot, broken windows) and at the state of the books and the selection on offer (romance and thrillers, that was literally all there was).

I used to work in libraries back home, so the state of this one shook me to the core.

I've been thinking about donating books, and possibly volunteering there, to try and help turn things around, but I haven't made my mind up yet.

Bradley N · 13-06-2011 12:34PM

Maybe they just need better technology, in 20 years, the library might look very different.

Shenshen · 13-06-2011 12:40PM

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

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

What would be the point of that?

And I've heard that old "We won't need libraries now we've got the internet" ever since I started working in libraries nearly 20 years ago.
Libraries have changed since, and incorporate internet access as one of their services, but the numbers of library users have increased, not fallen.

wild_cat · 13-06-2011 12:44PM

Shenshen wrote: »

What would be the point of that?

And I've heard that old "We won't need libraries now we've got the internet" ever since I started working in libraries nearly 20 years ago.
Libraries have changed since, and incorporate internet access as one of their services, but the numbers of library users have increased, not fallen.

Its like buying a record or cd its nice to have the book in your hand. Reading from a screen can be woeful for some people. I loved going to the library as a child and teenager, just finding random books that I would never have known about and that lovely musky book smell.

Corsendonk · 13-06-2011 12:47PM

Yes I go but not as often as I should. It's a new public library that opened last year and is only 5 mins walk from my house.

Public Library

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