I have been going to and virtually living in public libraries for as long as I can remember. Growing up one of the public libraries I used was close to a parking lot where I know there was drug dealing, but as a kid I didn't care. I only cared about getting my Bobsey Twins and my Holliday books, my horse books and eventually my science fiction and other genre fiction. When I was a teen, my mom would drop me off at the Biddeford Public Library (McCarthy Public if I am remembering the name correctly) on her way to work and I would walk the 2 hours back with my load of books in hand.
When we were looking for our first house, which ended up being a condo, I was thrilled that Braintree had a public library, a nice airy structure that was relatively new, built or at least dedicated in 1999.
Now I go to Quincy Public Library (Thomas Crane), and there a lot of things to love.
1. Exploring new authors. I might want to buy a lot of books, but public libraries let me try the books by new authors before I shell out cash. I believe in supporting authors, but I also believe in buying things I will want to read over and over again. Because I'm a re-reader, if I take it out from the library more than 2 or 3 times (especially if one of those times involves a library fine), then I buy the book.
2. CDs and other media. While Netflix is better for watching movies, for a while the public library was a great alternative. The only problem with borrowing these items from the library is that this is one of the instances where it is apparent that people do not take the care with library property that they would with their own. I remember trying to watch Best in Show and the disc was so scratched that it would only play parts of the film.
3. A quiet place to stay. Sometimes when I was rooming with lots of people I would go to the public library as a place to cool down and be private. When you are living in each other's pockets, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the closeness and lack of privacy. It was good to roam the stacks even if I had to pick some of the less popular ones to have some by myself time.
4. Knitting (and other crafting) books. Because knitting is pretty popular, it is a way to make a pattern when it is the only one you want in the book. I cannot justify buying each book i want to, and I am more likely to just out and out buy the books by local designers. I did this with the Icelandic turtleneck from Crochet Me. I didn't want to make anything else in the book, but I borrowed the book and made this top.
5. New arrivals. The most popular stuff arrives frequently enough that I can read something well before it arrives in paperback.
6. Ebooks. I love having an ereader, and while I don't get quite as much reading done on it as I could (something about not buying copies of all of my favorite print books) I did get to read a large number of books on it since I've gotten it. Some of them have even been pretty good. A fair number of them have come from the library, introducing me to new authors. The QPL has at last check about 360 fiction titles and another 160 non-fiction ebook titles. I know that the BPL has easily 2 to 3 times that. It is a great way to read a large variety of books without straining the budget and it helps alleviate the problems I sometimes have with library fines.
7. Events. Not that I go to many events, but I have gone to fundraising and other information events mostly when we were at Braintree. Today the QPL has 3 events listed for children and a town redevelopment meeting. Tomorrow there is a movie matinee at 2pm, a children's event (medieval exploration), a job fair and a tennis club meeting. This is typical of libraries (especially well funded ones or ones in active communities) all over the place. If I were a young parent, I would be trying to use these resources for my children at the very least even if I couldn't make the programming for adults.
8. Museum passes. Most libraries I've been to have a number of museum passes for places like the Museum of Science, the Museum of Art or the Isabella Gardner, which they lend out on a first come, first served basis. I haven't used them, but I love knowing they are there.
9. Art. I love that my local library showcases art. Sometimes it is art from local artists (as in people who are making a living from their art), but just as often it is artworks from the local junior or senior high school.
10. Centralized. The Thomas Crane library is right in Quincy Center. It is near a college (or two), a public school, some churches, the T, a medical facility and a variety of grocery stores. It is a place where you can get everything you need and one of the things I need at least is the library.
