@stefan Note that libraries aren't free everywhere. In NL they're only free for under 27. I (much over 27) pay 5 euros a month for unlimited access. Still cheap, though.
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@stefan Ooooh, I could get on board with this feature from my library check-out!
@OldBrushNewPaper Definitely! Great way to show how much libraries are doing for us!
@stefan *wan chuckle* Mind, libraries can also *cost* our household money - when I decide I like a book SO MUCH that I want to purchase our own copy...
And today, happy National Library Workers Day!
Did you know, --
https://stefanbohacek.online/@stefan/116431777944519049
#NationalLibraryWorkersDay #NLWD #NationalLibraryWeek #libraries #LibraryWorkers #books
"If we lose this as a public good and as a free public service, we will have lost everything."
https://truthout.org/audio/why-libraries-matter-in-a-fascist-moment/
#libraries #LibraryWorkers #NationalLibraryWorkersDay #fascism #FightFascism
@stefan Thank You, Stefan.
@stefan You just reminded me to restock my little free community library 📚✌️😊
@PhoenixSerenity That's a great way to celebrate!
@stefan I found 3 boxes of old books in my garage from recent Spring cleaning (I'm still not done). Enough books to keep restocking it for next 2-3 months!
Knowledge and high-quality television.
@stefan I would celebrate, but Essex Libraries are charging £1.15 per reservation from Wednesday. No exceptions for pensioners (like me), students or claimants. The result of this will be smaller footfall in libraries which will then result in cost cutting of services. A cynic might say that’s the point.
@essexman Ah, yeah, that is a shame.
And if you can excuse a bit of self-promotion here, go follow @libraries!
@colorblindcowboy Do you mean, did I make @libraries? Yes!
One of my many, many creations: https://bots.stefanbohacek.com
@stefan I had no idea. I follow that one and some others.
@stefan
Cool, I recognize those cards! 😁
I have library cards from Multnomah County (rarely used, probably needs to be renewed) and Washington County (used all the time, my main library card).
There honestly can't be said enough about how important #libraries are. In today's world, they truly sound utopian.
A place where you can go for free, to gain knowledge? To get access to services? Without someone trying to make money off of you?
Wild!
If you don't already have a library card, go get yourself one this week. And if/when you do, check out what services your local library offers. Community events, borrowing of musical instruments, free access to newspapers and magazines.
@stefan our library has a Med Shed. Literally a shed in the parking lot full of medical equipment like crutches and leg boots and walkers and canes and wheelchairs that folks can borrow for as long as they need them.
@ChrisCorrigan That is very thoughtful! Libraries really can do everything!
@stefan I volunteer at our local library in Daytona Beach, FL. It is amazing what they have to offer! I get all my audio books from them via Hoopla!
@Doreen32128 That's really awesome!
@stefan I had about 20 minutes in between ferrying kiddos around yesterday, so I popped in to my library for the first time in years. I somehow got to this age without having been in a library on my own before, nor without any real purpose, so felt a bit self-conscious.
Anyway, I decided to have a good browse of the audio books (CDs) and films (DVDs). Absolutely bonkers how many they have. I know it's terribly convenient to just pull something up on Libby, but I know that probably costs the library licensing or something, so am going to make an effort to fetch CDs instead. Added advantage of CDs just playing in my car, whereas Android Auto is prone to crashing.
Weirdly, it was pretty overwhelming and I didn't get anything this time. I think I need to browse their online catalogue online first, scope out a few authors I know I want to listen to.
edit - forgot to say, there were some older folk there enjoying a coffee/tea or something and lazily catching up on some newspaper. What a peaceful way to spend a Saturday morning.
@tehstu That really does sound like a lovely way to spend a Sunday!
And instead of asking ChatGPT, you can literally just ask a librarian!
https://ask.loc.gov/faq/420132
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/bal
https://www.njstatelib.org/research_library/ask_a_librarian/
@stefan I've been a transcriptionist of legal matters since the old days - the 1980s - before the internet. I would call the Boston Public on my landline (poor bastards, it's all we had) to ask what word someone was saying based on "it sounds like this" and "the context is such-and-such." They were able to help me out 100% of the time. Except nights and weekends.
@stefan And when you ask a librarian, you can be confident that what they tell you is accurate and based on sources that exist!
"For many library workers, the material consequences of unchecked capitalism are the stuff of everyday life. Often we are the only indoor public space in our communities and provide the only accessible public bathroom.
We provide broadband internet to people who can’t access it otherwise, and assistance with the email addresses and online forms required to access public welfare programs. Extreme poverty, unaddressed mental illness, the opioid crisis — all of it walks through our doors and makes itself at home."
https://inthesetimes.com/article/public-libraries-are-commons-in-america
"We want to hear from you. What brings you library joy? Show us with your original creative work: a drawing, painting, poem, essay, photo, video, song, comic panel—you get the idea."
https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek
Hoopla and Kanopy. Two free limited streaming services offering movies and tv shows.
There's a low monthly limit but they augment my commercial streamers and help me avoid having to pay for more just to watch a particular movie or show (e.g. The Worst Person in the World, Dark Winds)
#libraries #library #Hoopla #Kanopy #streaming #tv #television #movie #movies #film #cinema
