<p>Our downtown library is definitely a mixed bag of folks.</p>
<p>Out here in the burbs it is pretty homogenous, but I do see many of the homeless folks that I know using the internet. </p>
<p>The main difference for me is the noise level. I grew up being taught that the public library was meant to be a quiet place. Just this weekend I was at the library and the loudest voices were coming from the library staff!</p>
<p>Inu town, I haven’t really seen a chage, except maybe the large increase in patrons over the last few years. With the free blue rays/DVD rentals, almost 1/3 of the patrons never even look at a book. My biggest change is that since I got my Kindle, I haven’t actually walked into my library since January. I get books free from my library online. I can’t believe it has been so long since I held a real book. </p>
<p>Spending 18 years in the berkeley Public library system really spoiled me, though, and our current system doesn’t really compare. I still remember the Tool Lending library.</p>
<p>Yes, our downtown library has definitely changed it’s “clientel” since my kids were little. Not all the homeless in there are troublemakers, but we have some mentally ill folks there that frankly, scare me at times. Talking to themselves (loudly), following patrons (yes, we now have security guards), defacating in the bathroom–but not in the porcelain container intended. One Librarian I know personally
has indicated staff knows a few that are the constant source of problems–and they have
the police department (next door) on speed dial.
The children’s library is now basically after school care once the elementary school lets out. Makes me wonder what these kids do when the library is closed on a mandatory budget cut day…
Yep, don’t frequent as much as I used to…</p>