[davidvaughan]

I noticed my local library got rid of about fifty percent of its few remaining books a couple of weeks ago. The extra space means the body of the building is now devoted to activities relating to schools, I think.

As somebody who once did work experience here: http://tinyurl.com/d28gxz4, I was a bit puzzled to be in an almost bookless library.

I suspect "coffee shop rules" are the future of libraries.

[jff]

My local library has a coffee shop in it.

Luckily there are lots of books, I haven't seen them removing any.

[ShawnBird]

Luckily there are lots of books, I haven't seen them removing any.

Why is this lucky? Are the books being used?

[jff]

Actually yes! It's a pretty nice place.

[ShawnBird]

Oh, never mind. I have seen some libraries that have very low usage rates of books compared to computers and I would not mourn a scaling down of their books on hand as long as they kept a strong catalog.