tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post7193228468541580055..comments2023-10-24T06:32:19.404-07:00Comments on State of the Art: Chucked out at the libraryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-25645580383281912402012-03-23T13:08:46.795-07:002012-03-23T13:08:46.795-07:00Lawrence, your blog post gets at a significant que...Lawrence, your blog post gets at a significant question What is the function of a great public library in today’s society? Over the course of the past two years, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has been asking how do we provide the best service possible with the resources available. A library’s collection of books and materials is a depreciating asset, like a car or a house. Without routine maintenance, they deteriorate. As the Library’s materials budget has decreased by more than 50 percent (from $3.4 million in 2007 to about $1.8 million in 2011), our ability to maintain the collection has been challenging. We are relying heavily on free digital content for less popular classics and on interlibrary loan that allows us to borrow titles from other libraries. We thank you for considering the library a valuable resource as a library user and Friend of the Library. <br />Sincerely, Linda Raymond, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Materials ManagerLinda Raymondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-7969646575056760332012-03-23T08:05:53.693-07:002012-03-23T08:05:53.693-07:00Certainly, if you don't care what you read, th...Certainly, if you don't care what you read, the Internet provides more than plenty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-50293344563853434102012-03-23T07:48:21.541-07:002012-03-23T07:48:21.541-07:00Nowadays, I just go to the library for kids books....Nowadays, I just go to the library for kids books. <br /><br />No point in paying for them. <br /><br />And just about everything else is available online. More than I can possibly read.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-89226380842727717342012-03-22T20:28:36.517-07:002012-03-22T20:28:36.517-07:00To Anon 3:58: You can't be serious about the &...To Anon 3:58: You can't be serious about the "museum piece" thing? We are talking Dickens, here. I don't think whims are illegal at the public library, and even columnists qualify for their membership card(smileyface), I think. The library's budget is truly a shame, but Toppman did mention that he had donated copies of Dickens and you can't get cheaper than free. Another post above mentions materials that used to be on the shelves and now are gone. Again, not a budgetary issue. <br /><br />Most people don't have a Kindle or an IPad. Those who do can go to a free website without without going to the library.<br /><br />It would be fun to get your readers' lists of 5 essential, deserted-island books and see if the library has them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-2385355651643292422012-03-22T10:51:52.917-07:002012-03-22T10:51:52.917-07:00Yep pretty sad the library kept its top heaviness ...Yep pretty sad the library kept its top heaviness and purged collections and staff. Seems they have relegated themselves to be the homeless shelter annex.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-50503773177699697922012-03-22T09:26:51.579-07:002012-03-22T09:26:51.579-07:00I tried to donate my books to the liberry but they...I tried to donate my books to the liberry but they wouldn't take them. All the pictures had been colored.Imma tell you what henoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-39557628399036538692012-03-22T05:13:31.585-07:002012-03-22T05:13:31.585-07:00When I arrived in Charlotte in 2002, the main libr...When I arrived in Charlotte in 2002, the main library still had an outstanding collection of books and CDs. I was delighted to accidentally discover singers such as bass-baritone Peter Dawson (1882-1961) and French tenor Georges Thill (1897-1984). The library "weeded" out those marvelous CDs years ago, along with countless full opera sets and thousands of books. The book shelves in the main library are now a half to a third full.Mark Caplanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15157338755022593966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-69520327725562019012012-03-21T18:33:05.064-07:002012-03-21T18:33:05.064-07:00All three titles mentioned can be read in digital ...All three titles mentioned can be read in digital format and are available to download from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library website. Or you can go directly to www.gutenberg.org. Just ask your friendly librarian next time!JGorettinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-47588219559965989172012-03-21T16:44:11.026-07:002012-03-21T16:44:11.026-07:00You might have been able to ask a staff member for...You might have been able to ask a staff member for help, but oops, those were cut, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-37510621773577948802012-03-21T15:58:08.736-07:002012-03-21T15:58:08.736-07:00You might check to see how much the county commiss...You might check to see how much the county commissioners have cut the library's funding for books over the last couple of years. The library can't even afford the books patrons need and want, let alone unpopular museum pieces a columnist looks for "on a whim."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7398139335366037888.post-58014877680588691372012-03-21T14:38:09.110-07:002012-03-21T14:38:09.110-07:00A sad commentary on what our society has become.A sad commentary on what our society has become.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com