re:Libraries (zaibatsu), 08/29/2019
------------------------------------------------------------
A few other sundogs wrote about libraries[1][2]. I'm pretty
sure I read a few replies out in gopher space as well. Since
I'm sitting in my local library right now, I figured I'd
chime in.
On the childhood memories, I'll say just a few things:
1. I recall when libraries were only about books. I recall
when computers and the internet were added into the mix. I
think the transition period was the worst; now that things
are well integrated, I feel that the resulting modern
library is very much an improvement, at least from what I've
experienced.
2. It seems like selections, and the ability to find
things quickly, have both improved. I do recall some very
interesting book finds as a youth, and perhaps the modern
library is a little more scrubbed, but I think overall it's
still good. Card catalog systems were good, but computer
systems that I can access from home, inter-library lending,
etc. all make the computers an invaluable addition.
3. On the topic of computers, my first intro to a terminal
was at the library. My first use of the internet over a
terminal was at the library (where we had fun breaking out
of their menu system and accessing whatever we wanted, back
in the dialup days). Our library had green and amber wyse
terminals back then. I still love those things.
That's about it for memories, at least ones that stand out.
The library I'm sitting in is our local Fulton, MO library.
It's small, but it's not tiny. They have books and movies
and tablets and computers and STEM kits and probably a
lot of things I'm not aware of. There's a micro-fiche
reader upstairs, for archived local history I'm thinking
(newspaper and the like).
I find that the book selection here is somewhat limited.
Thankfully, this library is part of a larger system; I can
go online and get books from any of the other member
libraries, and they'll bring them here for me in a day or
two. I love that. We like to go to the Columbia MO library.
That one is quite nice, and much larger.
Another fun thing that I forgot to mention is, my library
card gives me access to hoopla digital, which has some
audio books and movies to watch. Free streaming services,
basically.
I love modern libraries. I love large libraries. I love the
expansion beyond books. I love usable spaces, shared spaces,
work spaces, and maker spaces. It's quite amazing, the
benefits of society. Sometimes I think I want to live 1000
miles from everyone, in the woods somewhere, but I'm sure
I'd miss all this.
[1]
gopher://republic.circumlunar.space:70/0/~slugmax/phlog/2019-08-17-library-nostalgia
[2]
gopher://zaibatsu.circumlunar.space:70/0/~solderpunk/phlog/in-praise-of-good-libraries.txt