[bane]

Where I live at least, there's a great library infrastructure. Brand new, state-of-the-art libraries with great physical and digital collections are the norm. It's not unusual to find small maker spaces, recording studios, study rooms, and other community services.

On any given day of the week they're usually pretty frothy with people. It skews towards teens and below, but you'll see people from all walks of life in these places. They regularly hold talks, book events, community meetings, and so on.

I grew up loving libraries and a trip every so often to the big regional hub library was an all-day treat as a kid. It makes me feel so happy, and so satisfied with my tax dollars, to see these community institutions in action and doing wonderful things.

I learned recently that my closest library, a 1970s era structure that has become a bit decrepit, is about to be torn down (sad face) and replaced (ecstatic face) with an all new library and community performance arts center.

Curious question: I really only know about and understand libraries in the U.S., what are libraries and the library system like in other places?