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csziggy

(34,131 posts)

10. Some of the best books I've read were found while looking

Mon Jan 14, 2013, 08:58 PM

Jan 2013

For other books. I love wandering through the stacks and happening on books on subjects I would not have thought of looking for.

So far I absolutely HATE the way that selection is made for ebooks.

Our public library has loans of ebooks and trying to find what I want in their collection online is a nightmare. Even when I KNEW they had a particular book, I could not find it, either by author or subject. It turned out that they dumbed down the subject headings. No "forensic pathology" just "science". I had to wade through 20 webpages of general science listings to find one book.

This is a library in a town with the oldest library science school (excuse, now it's "information science&quot in the state and that is the best they can do for cataloging their ebook collection? Life is far too short to spend my time reading their uncatalogued list of books. I'd rather be reading an actual book.

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30 replies

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Nation's First Bookless Library Set To Open [View all] RetroGamer1971 Jan 2013 OP

awwwww. Liberal_in_LA Jan 2013 #1

I can't imagine my life without books..... llmart Jan 2013 #2

You must have been sad when they got rid of dial phones... brooklynite Jan 2013 #12

Then I guess the other cultural arts don't mean much to you either..... llmart Jan 2013 #16

If there was only "one" of each book, I might take your analogy... brooklynite Jan 2013 #18

You said you prefer function over form... llmart Jan 2013 #19

You can't flip the pages of an ebook. That's a function performed better by a real book. pnwmom Jan 2013 #25

You apparently don't have an iPad brooklynite Jan 2013 #27

Been a heavy reader since I first learned how, and I love real books, BUT.... MotorCityMan Jan 2013 #26

Scanning the stacks with my eyes lets me know what the library has at a long glance, shraby Jan 2013 #3

Some of the best books I've read were found while looking csziggy Jan 2013 #10

+ struggle4progress Jan 2013 #29

This message was self-deleted by its author LeftInTX Jan 2013 #4

Progressively more glad that I am old.....nft plethoro Jan 2013 #5

Hi, LBN host here OKNancy Jan 2013 #6

Thanks for the news, RG.. Cha Jan 2013 #7

While I understand this, it is disturbing Duer 157099 Jan 2013 #8

This only works if there are enough gadgets for each person with a library card graham4anything Jan 2013 #9

The library furnishes the downloads...... llmart Jan 2013 #14

Yes, I know what the concept it, but not everyone can afford an e-reader or computer graham4anything Jan 2013 #17

Oh, I understand completely. llmart Jan 2013 #20

I have't been to a library since grad school. nt. naaman fletcher Jan 2013 #11

I am a book person. Books are gods to me. littlemissmartypants Jan 2013 #13

Not everyone in this country can afford a "device du jour". llmart Jan 2013 #15

I think you missed my point and have made some assumptions that seem harsh to me. littlemissmartypants Jan 2013 #24

"What do you use your local library for? " dixiegrrrrl Jan 2013 #21

I check out e-books from my local library. We get paper books, CDs and DVDs as well. Hekate Jan 2013 #22

A trip to the library Iwillnevergiveup Jan 2013 #23

What do I use the library for? To masturbate in public with the other hobos AngryAmish Jan 2013 #28

I borrow books from my library, primarily. infidel dog Jan 2013 #30