Library Habits meme:
1. If you don’t frequent your local library, why not?
2. If you do visit the library, how often do you go?
3. Do you have a favorite section that you always head to first, or do you just randomly peruse the shelves?
4. How many books are you allowed to check out at one time? Do you take advantage of this?
5. How long are you allowed to have the books checked out?
6. How many times are you allowed to renew your check-outs, if at all?
7. What do you love best about your particular library?
8. What is one thing you wish your library did differently?
9. Do you request your books via an online catalogue, or through the librarian at your branch?
10. Have you ever chosen a book on impulse (from the online catalogue OR the shelves) and had it turn out to be totally amazing? If so, what book was it, and why did you love it?
1. If you don’t frequent your local library, why not?
Oh, but I do.
2. If you do visit the library, how often do you go?
I have no set schedule but was at one of the branch libraries Saturday and probably stopped by the main library four times last month to pick up books I had on reserve.
3. Do you have a favorite section that you always head to first, or do you just randomly peruse the shelves?
If I’m not just running in to pick up a book, I head immediately for the new acquisitions shelves.
4. How many books are you allowed to check out at one time? Do you take advantage of this?
According to the library web site, 50 items. Can’t say I’ve ever had to worry about that limit.
5. How long are you allowed to have the books checked out?
Usually four weeks, although some newer books are 14 days and some “Rapid Reads” (usually highly popular mass market novels) are seven days.
6. How many times are you allowed to renew your check-outs, if at all?
Twice, unless someone has placed a hold on the book or it’s an interlibrary loan.
7. What do you love best about your particular library?
The ability to reserve books and renew them online (plus it’s building a branch less than a mile from my house).
8. What is one thing you wish your library did differently?
I wish it would start taking donations of books again. Even if they can’t be used in the library, that would certainly seem to be a good source for their occasional book sales and, hence, some fundraising.
9. Do you request your books via an online catalogue, or through the librarian at your branch?
Online and with great frequency.
10. Have you ever chosen a book on impulse (from the online catalogue OR the shelves) and had it turn out to be totally amazing? If so, what book was it, and why did you love it?
I undoubtedly have but can’t say that one in particular comes to mind.
In short, the library was a place where most of the things I came to value as an adult had their beginnings.
Pete Hamill, “D’Artagnan on Ninth Street“
I too am a big fan of libraries. Here’s a link to my answers.