[KGIII]

The best thing you can do is ask your librarian. Libraries are often poorly funded, very much so in rural areas. They are often partially funded with donations.

Somebody was willing to step up and rehab a local library. Had they not done so, it would have been forced to close. It is staffed entirely by volunteers. The town can barely afford to budget the heat.

Fortunately, the same person now donates regularly and there's no risk of immediate closure. They will have also left a small trust for the library when they pass away.

[WalterBright]

Around here, the library buildings are new, large, modern, and spacious. Those buildings were expensive to construct.

They lack books, though. The shelves are low, widely spaced, and don't occupy much of the floor space.

http://www.buildingwork.design/projects/kenmore-library/

I've long since given up even looking for books there. I just go buy them.

Contrast this with Half Price Books:

http://www.waymarking.com/gallery/image.aspx?f=1&guid=ae61a8...

It's crammed with books. (The picture barely does that justice.)

[chupapuma]

The KCLS has a lot of books though and it is super easy to get them transported to the library for pickup. Also the eBook selection is immense.

[KGIII]

I still have a lovely, fairly local, shop. It is called Twice Sold Tales. It's a lovely place. I miss bookstores.