79% in 10 years

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
79% in 10 years
11
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 7:52am
According to my radio station this morning 79% of Americans have NOT visited a library in the last 10 years. what are some reasons you can think of that this number is so high?

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Avatar for guili12737
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-23-1997
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 9:06am
I think there are a lot of other things that vie for people's attention these days. There are more two parent working families and the kids are overscheduled, not to mention now one can watch over 100 channels on cable and kids spend so much time on the computer and with video games.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 11:12am

We go to the library quite frequently, however, several reason I never want to go back. lol



  1. They charge over $35 to replace an audio CD book that cost me $23 to buy.

  2. My homeless brother-in-law hangs out there. Scary! What other degenerates hang out there.

  3. I always have fines, in know personal problem.

  4. My DD seems to misplace books or let people borrow them. Doh! (another personal problem).

  5. Allowing adults to play computer games in the kids section. Why does an adult need to play Sims at the library?

  6. Parents who don't supervise their children. They should my creepy BIL is hanging out there. lol Not to mention just annoying.

  7. Bad hours, not for my library, but have heard this is a problem for others.

I'm sure I'll think of others but all I can come up with for now.


Also, on a more serious note. The internet makes a huge difference for me. I buy and or trade most of the books I have. I don't have a need to go to the library because I own too many as it is that need to be read. We go on a regular basis for the kids because they don't have the cash flow. Though they have been introduced to bookcrossing and PBS. They are still trying to get the hang of those sites and haven't accumulated much.

Gretchen


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2003
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 11:26am
I was one of those until recently!


 


Mich

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2005
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 2:18pm

I'm one of those people who haven't been to the library in years. Part of it is that my mom is constantly buying books, so I borrow them from her instead of going to the library. The other issue I have is that I am the mom to a very rambunctious little boy who will be 2 next month (gasp!) and I'm afraid of him disturbing the other people in the library (he's not exactly a quiet child). Life got way too chaotic, I suppose (we're remodeling a house, raising a toddler and expecting our second child in November). I'm planning on returning fairly soon (as soon as my son is able to sit still for 30 seconds!). I think it's important to take him to the library. He's already shown an interest in reading and books and I want to do everything possible to nurture that.

Sarenna

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Avatar for arizonagal
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 3:39pm

79%?!! That's pretty sad and somewhat pathetic. Ok, I understand the working parents and kids have busier activities these days, but somewhere along the way it seems the parents have forgotten what an asset libraries are. Forgotten how wonderful it was for them growing up. There's just so much that captures our attention these days and alot of folks want to get done in a hurry. Most probably have PC so their children can access whatever info they need for homework. I don't know. Am just so surprised and flummoxed at that percentage. What a treasure those people are missing!

Maggie, did your radio station give the source for that info? Am very curious and even feel like contacting my local newspapers/media to note that info and perhaps ask the public to call, email or write in as to why they haven't been to a library. Does that seem extreme? I'm just really want to know more specific reasons why.

Donna

Avatar for catgrl2
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 4:26pm
Considering that both my husband and myself are both in education (he's a teacher, I work in the admin. building) my husband has said many times that kids in school today can barely write. So my guess would be that they don't do a lot of reading, and are probably more into video games and computers. Maybe for adults, they are buying books more these days - amazon and b&n have good prices as do the Sam's and Costco. That's a sad number though!! Gae
Gae
Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 08-18-2005 - 3:28pm
You and me both. Until recently, I hadn't had a library card in the longest time. Kind of by default I went to the library frequently when I was in high school and college, but as an adult I didn't go to the public library. I just bought books. Last year we bought a house, which required some belt tightening to do. Part of that belt tightening was to stop buying books - well, except for the ones we REALLY want - and to visit the library instead. I must admit that now that I have been frequenting the library, I read a lot more because it is free :)
Avatar for cl_ladibbug
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-19-2005 - 11:55am

My friends prefer to buy books at amazon.com or Costco, as their busy lives do not include taking time to browse the library, wait for a book if it's checked out, etc.


When they find reading time, they want the books available right then.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-2001
Fri, 08-19-2005 - 2:40pm

Well, here in Santa Rosa, CA most of the branch library hours are 9:30-6:00 M-Sat at all branches, with most of them also being open until 9 on T & W. The Central library is open until 9 on M & W, and is also open 2-6 on Sun. I grew up going to the library - Mom & I were both big readers....buying all those books would have broken the budget, even buying them used. Not that we never bought any of course. But I'm still not a big book buyer. So I just can't understand how such a large percentage don't use the library. But then, I can't believe how many people don't read for enjoyment either.

Liz

Liz

Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 12:54pm

Yeah - that's pretty much how I felt about buying books vs getting them from the library - that is until we bought the house and needed to tighten our spending. I wanted to keep reading, but couldn't really justify too many book purchases anymore, so I found the time to go to the library. It isn't as convinient as ordering from Amazon, but it works out alright. And now I read more because it is all free - LOL.

Our library hours are pretty good. The library by my house is open M-S, 10-6, except Tue and Wed when it is open until 8. Our downtown branch has terrific hours since it is also the library for the university. During the semester it is open until 10pm M-F and is open both Sat and Sun. When school is not in session, the hours are shorter, but they are still pretty good.

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