I just got home from checking out some movies for my mother and I, and I feel like an old fool. It had been a little while for me, and they've gone to a self-check-out system! I wandered around looking like a lost soul, trying to find what happened to the front desk, and finally a librarian took pity on me and asked me if I needed something. Yes, please! She said my hold items were on a shelf, alphabetically, and the check-out computers were "over there". Uh, ok. I managed to scan my library card, but these were DVD's, encased in a theft protection plastic case, and I was clueless what to do next. Meanwhile, a kid about 8 years old, checked himself out, and I continued to look around, hoping somebody would see I was completely befuddled. Finally, another librarian came to my aid, and showed me what the little metal bottle cap opener thing did on the desk. It opened the DVD casing. I tried it and failed twice. She helped me, and then said I'd be good for next time, but followed that up by saying, "if not, we'll be here". Thanks.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Chris, it is spring, the sun is out and
we both are here to see it all again..
We here wish you a glorious spring
and summer!

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Well, I know I sort of sound like a Luddite, but I'm not against progress. It's just passing me by while I'm content to be in the slow lane. I just thought the library adventure today was funny. ;~)

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

When LSM and I got married, we could only afford
to go to the library for books and media. We support
our town library still.

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When LSM and I got married, we could only afford
to go to the library for books and media. We support
our town library still.

It's a vastly under-used resource here. A hidden treasure, really.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I get many books from our library as e-books, but a lot of the obscure old non-fiction that interests me is only available on paper, so I'm a regular at the local branch. I do use their on-line catalog a lot before I go. I'm also signed up at the local university engineering library, again for obscure old stuff.

Even when the obscure stuff goes electronic, I will probably still be down there for CDs. A great way to try out new artists before investing in a hi-rez download.

And yes, we use self check out at the city library. Haven't noticed a drop in staff numbers, but have noticed staff have more time to help me find books.

And Chris, the "thrill of the hunt" is still there with e-books. And some of the e-books offer stuff just not available in paper. I'm currently reading the 1913 Jane's All The World's Aircraft at home, thanks to Gutenberg Press. I don't think many of you can check that one out of your local branch.

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two tips, on extras that many libraries offer:

1) Free passes to musical/museum events.

2) Undesired (i.e., low-volume check-out by patrons) CD's, and books.
Many are really good; it's amazing what others don't like that appeal
to yours truly. These items are yours, to keep.

two tips, on extras that many libraries offer:

1) Free passes to musical/museum events.

2) Undesired (i.e., low-volume check-out by patrons) CD's, and books.
Many are really good; it's amazing what others don't like that appeal
to yours truly. These items are yours, to keep.

I get both of those, through my wife's membership in a volunteer group that runs the Library book store. They sell the surplus collection, plus people's donations, to raise funds for the library. As a volunteer, my wife gets first dibs on new stock, and a 50% discount. This means LPs for 25 cents each, and hardcover books for 50 cents each!

One of the things they do with the funds is sponser several concerts a year in a great music facility attached to the downtown main branch. A wide range of music, I go to the classical and the jazz shows.

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I used to work in a library, in school and after I'd gotten My GED. I don't set foot in there these days, even though I do have a county library card, which hasn't moved from My wallet in years. But then I have the whole internet to draw upon, so yeah, somewhat like My sister who was reputed to be a bookworm(though I have My doubts, I think She was hiding something, I'll never know what of course) I was a bit of a bookworm, if it had a binding and I was interested enough, I'd read it from cover to cover, like a sponge. Computers came naturally to Me, they are just one of My talents, triple threat? Nah, I'm way worse than that, if I were in better shape physically I might even be a lady killer like My Dad evidently was(I have/had a half sister named Dorothy, now all I need is a dog named Toto, lol), so to speak.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I would never do that to a lady, even if I could.
I find these creatures are in fact quite human,
and generally much smarter than I have ever been!

I would say that they have a wonderful texture!

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Gordon, I would be lost too. Have not been in a library for decades, yet I have a good supply of books from friends and family.

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Pluto will always be a planet to me.

Seti Ambassador
Not to late to order an Anni Shirt

Haven't been in the front door of my local County Library lately, but have been to the loading dock donating used books from both my and my mother's collections. Some wind up on the shelves, some get shipped to other County Library Branches or loaded into the Bookmobiles and Library Kiosks at rural towns that don't have a full Library, and some go to the monthly used book sales.

We lost our Borders and Barnes & Noble stores years ago, but there are several used book stores in town, plus the book departments at Kmart, Target, Wal-Mart, and Costco. And the American Association of University Women (AAUW) local chapter does a semi-annual book sale, next one is next week. E-readers may be popular, but real books have not gone out of style around here.

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Donald
Infernal Optimist / Submariner, retired

No, should really do that more often but I find myself working too much for other people hence I forget time for myself and the necessary reading to obtain more knowledge.

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rOZZ
Music
Pictures

reading to obtain more knowledge.

I live to obtain wisdom, I read to acquire knowledge.....

I sleep to obtain rest!




edit:

I have children to acquire immortality....

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I havent been to a library since the mid 80's.
My house is library though. The wife and I love books and we have collected over 2,000 of them. You can many a nice book at yard sales. Many years ago I bought a first edtion Ernie Pyle's ,Here is your war. Copyright 1943 for .25 cents. Best bargain I ever paid for.

I also have some fist editions signed by local authors. Are they worth money? I dont care, I got to talk to the authur and ask them questions. They aslo asked me questions. If you can ever get to a book signing, GO.
When the author writes you and your wifes name In a book with a brief note to go with it, its priceless.

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[/quote]

Old James

reading to obtain more knowledge.

I live to obtain wisdom, I read to acquire knowledge.....

I sleep to obtain rest!




edit:

I have children to acquire immortality....

That quite sums it up I think.

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rOZZ
Music
Pictures

I had to go electronic to feed my elephant. Asian manga is very expensive very fast. Paper costs about $10 usd \ 9.42 euro \ 6.83 gbp a volume. Usually 180-300 pages in length. Then the number of volumes in a series. That depends on how popular it is. Roughly 1 to all the traffic will read. Feel lucky if a series is 10 to 20 volumes in length. Been reading "Bleach". It has pasted 60+ volumes.

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In my youth, my hometown was much smaller than it is today. The school district was small enough that they could afford to bus all the elementary school classes to the City (Now County) Library every two weeks. Since I learned to read before I started school, I was not real interested in the fare in the Children's wing. I got in trouble several times when I left that area and ventured into the General section, specifically the Science Fiction and Fantasy stacks. After the 3rd time it happened, my mother sent the Library a note authorizing me access to that area.

In Junior High (now called Middle School) we had our own library, which is where I discovered C.S. Forester and Horatio Hornblower, and Agatha Christie, among others.

Later today I will visit the Used Book Sale put on by the local chapter of the American Association of University Women. All sales items are donated, and proceeds go for college scholarships to local young women. And after I enjoy today's bounty, I will donate most of them back for the next sale, so others can enjoy, too.

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Donald
Infernal Optimist / Submariner, retired

Well, I know I sort of sound like a Luddite, but I'm not against progress. It's just passing me by while I'm content to be in the slow lane. ...

You are not alone in that slow lane, my friend. I haven't left the slow lane in decades.

Free passes to musical/museum events.

Yes! When I was in London many years ago all museums had free passes.
Education for fun and for all:)