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ZaraSp00k
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11/12/2019 08:42AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Can't have a book club without books, I realize you high rollers buy your books in a store, being thrifty, I go to libraries.

Working around the country gives me an opportunity to see libraries in other cities. I’ve come to the conclusion that my home library system is the least favorite of all the libraries I’ve been to. I say system because the individual libraries apparently have their books selected by the central library, and they have the worst selection of books I’ve ever seen. I had a discussion with one of the librarians and she confirmed my suspicion, they select books based on popular appeal, essentially choosing books from best seller lists. This might sound like it makes sense, but understand, today's “pop” book is in next years trash heap. The chance of it being around 10 years from now are slim. The buildings themselves are nice, but that can’t overcome the poor book selection. Dakota County, you suck!
So on to the good …

Best book selection: Minneapolis Central public library: here you will find books you won’t find anywhere else, ‘nuff said. Now that it is part of the Hennepin County system, you can have them sent to a more convenient location.

Best book selection for a small library: Shorewood, WI (just north of Milwaukee) Great book selection, the library just to the north in Whitefish Bay also has a good selection, maybe even better, but the Shorewood location also is a great place to read a book.

Best location to read a book: Manhattan Beach, CA grab a seat and watch the sunset over the ocean.

Best library in northern MN. Grand Rapids, there are a lot of neat old libraries in the area, some of which don’t function all that well, this is a modern functionable one with a nice selection of books and with a nice relaxing view of the river to sit and read a book. Especially when it’s -20F out and blowing snow.

Best music collection, single library: Downtown Eau Claire, WI their collection is very extensive. But to access them you’ll need a library card, as an out of towner I was able to get a temporary card. They have a unique (I’ve never seen it anywhere else) security system that prevents you from accessing the music unless you check it out, which holds you more accountable, probably why their collection is so extensive.

Best music selection, system: Milwaukee, if you can’t find it, you haven’t looked hard enough.

 
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11/12/2019 08:17PM  
Thank you for the compliment of the Eau Claire library. We were very faithful patrons when we lived in Eau Claire. Unfortunately we were not as faithful about returning items on time. We contributed quite a bit to the facility through overdue fines and feel that we are part owners.
 
ZaraSp00k
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11/14/2019 09:21AM  
Unas10: "Thank you for the compliment of the Eau Claire library. We were very faithful patrons when we lived in Eau Claire. Unfortunately we were not as faithful about returning items on time. We contributed quite a bit to the facility through overdue fines and feel that we are part owners."


the downside to that library is all the ner-do-wells there, probably from the nearby university, the librarian was constantly reminding them of the rules they were constantly ignoring, urban hipsters can't be constrained by rules
 
h20
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11/14/2019 08:48PM  
Define ne'er- do- wells. Isn't a public library just that? For all?
 
ZaraSp00k
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11/19/2019 08:48AM  
h20: "Define ne'er- do- wells. Isn't a public library just that? For all?"


Different libraries handle them differently, Hennepin County has stickers plastered on their entries saying they are for all, but I notice they lock the restrooms to keep the ne'er-do-wells from going in them and staying past closing time, and they still have security at the larger ones. The library at the university has security whose time is largely spent ejecting non-students. I just happened to notice that Eau Clairie seemed to have a higher concentration of them than others. I don't know the reasons, but they don't seem to frequent the libraries like they used to. maybe that's why Hennepin County has the stickers, they want them back. I notice the help desk rarely have anything to do since the vast majority of people go there for the computers.
 
11/19/2019 06:02PM  
ZaraSp00k: "Can't have a book club without books, I realize you high rollers buy your books in a store, being thrifty, I go to libraries.

"


Not sure if I am a high roller, but I am frugal and go to libraries regularly.
The one in Soldotna Alaska was great with a large selection of DVD's (I didn't have TV when I lived there).
The Detroit Lakes library/Lake Agassiz Regional Library is good as well.
I wish there was a library in Hermantown, I have to go to downtown Duluth by the depot to access that one.
 
HowardSprague
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12/19/2019 09:12AM  
I love libraries, but don't go all that often. After college I managed a book store for a few years and we got a 30% discount (maybe it was 33%, I forget),...needless to say, with buying more books since then I still haven't caught up with some of the ones I purchased 30 years ago, LOL :)
I also tend to,, for some reason, read a lot less during times of stress. Had a few years like that where I'd be lucky to get through two books a year.
 
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