library visit

[jackangel]

So I admit it. I read a book. Murder. About this bitter guy and other stupid guys and a smart dame, with issues. Good. Took it back to Lordship Lane library. Picked a Tuesday ? it was open.

Looked for another murder book. Were some about bitter guys and other stupid guys and smart dames, with issues ? but here?s the thing; the book order was a mystery. Heard about alphabetical order of writers and kinda thought libraries did this. But I was wrong.

To add to the pot, there were ?special interest sections? where the alpha mystery starts over. And there are more special sections than books in this joint.

I suddenly felt a rod in the small of my back. The voice was like ice and knew its owner was on to a sure thing. ?Excuse me?, it said.

The Mob was arriving. Out of a clear blue sky. Pushchairs took out the bystanders. Took out the alpha problem. Buggies barricaded me and the other saps from the literature. Mystery solved - book order? schmook order!

Found the door and stumbled onto the mean street. More and more of the Mob (who gave them the get go?). Grim faced, heading for the kill.

Lifted my collar and trimmed my hat against the chill. Reached into my inside pocket and felt for the bulky leather comforter of my library card and bus pass case.

Guess I?ll get a paper.

[Brendan]

I understand the library can be difficult. Here?s is some background reading you may want to do before your next visit.

The Dewey Decimal System: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewey_decimal_system

Human reproduction: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_reproduction

[melbourne groover]

Good grief... children in a library...I didn't know this sort of thing still went on...

[????]

Next thing we'll know they'll be in our coffee shops

[melbourne groover]

and god forbid, pubs...

[PeckhamRose]

I received a letter from Southwark Libraries yesterday with a new library card and a little card with some sort of a marking system on it, if I read three books I get... what? A headache?

I dug out my old library card and it was similar but with a different number.

The last time I went to the library was about 3 years ago when I was up for a Chekov play and the entire Southwark Library lending system had not one Chekov play in its shelves. I bought a copy for ?2 from Chener. Never got the job either.

[lorraineliyanage]

peckhamrose - the little card is a Reader Reward Card. After 6 trips to the library, you get to take out a DVD free of charge for a week :))

[Burbage]

You can use this for finding books.

If you choose to reserve them, then you can pick them up from the desk without having to fossick in the creche.

[ianr]

Burbage Wrote:

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> You can use this [link to Southwark Libraries catalogue] for finding books.

Strictly speaking, you can use it for finding books (and other items) which have at some time been added to the library stock. Whether they are actually on the shelf when you get there is, ime, something of a 50-50 bet. Other London libraries have the problem too.

[KidKruger]

Yeah keep on reading the papers Jackangel my screaming ungoverned kids will have more room in the library that way.

WTF

[Clazza]

Well must admit find the library great & very easy to use!

[HonaloochieB]

Now KidKruger and JackAngel, heed the words of the late Michael Hutchence:

"Don't burn the library, 'til you've read all the books"

And let's have no fussin' and fuedin', cos I see the way this is headed.

[HonaloochieB]

But then The Manic`Street Preachers opined:

"Libraries gave us power, then work came and made us free, but what price now for a shallow piece of dignity"

To me KK and JA, this is the 'Manics' telling you that starting a ruck in a library will make you look undignified.

Oh, and whover did 'Read It In Books' would probably have a view on the matter as well. Name escapes me for the moment, ut one of those pop coves for certain.

Anyway, off the the murder mystery section with the both of you to figure out who kil...................................

[localgirlwithdreads]

Is buying books (secondhand, even) not an option for you? Public libraries are always a nightmare?

[womanofdulwich]

As a family we have used the library for 15 years and I would say it was critical for children. Many happy hours spend reading and looking at childrens books, now means that family are comfortable to go there and take out book/ dvd/talking book -essential for long car journey.

Don't get me started of the ones upstairs hogging the papers and doing the crossword first............

[richfish]

And you can use this

http://www.londonlibraries.org/servlets/home

to search all of the London public library catalogues as well as to reserve books in Southwark (or in any other borough now which is pretty remarkable). I don't think that is difficult at all. Libraries are a public space and reconciling different types of people's varying styles of use is never going to be easy. I find tolerance, good manners and a generosity of spirit helps.

[OutOfFocus]

PeckhamRose Wrote:

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> The last time I went to the library was about 3

> years ago when I was up for a Chekov play and the

> entire Southwark Library lending system had not

> one Chekov play in its shelves.

But they do have plays in the catalogue by Chekhov.

I blame Star Trek for confusing the spelling.

[Lucyl]

localgirlwithdreads Wrote:

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> Is buying books (secondhand, even) not an option

> for you? Public libraries are always a nightmare?

I'm surprised that anyone could think this about Dulwich library. Sometimes there are a few kids around and library's aren't very quiet these days but you dont have to hang around , get your book and do the reading at home! They also have a good selection of cds, computers upstairs in a quiet warm room. You can order any book you like and there are displays of recommended books for a quick choice. Borrowing books is also very green, and they even have paperbacks now! I love Dulwich Libary.

[dukesdenver]

Newington Library on Walworth Road is good too - nice big display of new books, decent selection of older stuff.

The 40 and the 176 stop right outside the door.

[jackangel]

Now I think of it a second time, it was Grove Vale library. Hey Burbage! Fossick. Nice word.

[ruffers]

HonaloochieB Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

> Oh, and whover did 'Read It In Books' would

> probably have a view on the matter as well. Name

> escapes me for the moment, ut one of those pop

> coves for certain.

>

Echo and The Bunnymen I believe? I'm guessing on Crocodiles.

I'm hugely impressed with the library by the way, or it's opening hours anyway. Libraries remind me of being a kid and every other week on a Tuesday (I think) as a family we all went there to get new books. The day I realised that picking a random book as well as ones I recognised could lead to good things was an important one in my life.

> Anyway, off the the murder mystery section with

> the both of you to figure out who

> kil...................................

[Domitianus]

I think libraries are magnificent. They are some of my favourite places to go to access the Internet or borrow a DVD.

I understand that they have started to do books as well. A bold diversification away from their core competence, I say, but I take my hat off to them.