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by bombcar 32 days ago
Most libraries are currently operating under "the donors don't know how they're being used" if you get the drift - checkouts of actual books are way, way down, the vast majority of checkouts are videos, etc; many library users are just using the computers or using it as a study/work/play area.

This may or may not apply to university libraries, but many of the public libraries around here are morphing into indoor playgrounds.
1 comments
doom2 31 days ago
> many of the public libraries around here are morphing into indoor playgrounds.

If this is said as a negative thing, maybe we could mitigate it by having more free, publicly accessible third spaces. Or accept that libraries can also serve that purpose: as a place for community members to gather as well as the other services they provide.

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bombcar 31 days ago
It’s not a bad thing at all, and I think libraries do need to evolve, even if in sad that they’re doing so.

I’d rather see their money go to robust inter-library loan setups and children’s sections than spending it all on overpriced e-loan junk.

link