Have you used the Lawrence Public Library in the past year? / LJWorld.com

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Asked at Hy-Vee, 3504 Clinton Parkway on February 26, 2009

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“No. I buy my books. I like to keep them.”

— Susan Leavy, homemaker, Linwood

“No, because of the location. It’s hard to get in and out of there with the traffic.”

— Joni Barnes, kennel supervisor, Lawrence

“No, I haven’t. I can find everything out on the Internet.”

— Chris Coleman, truck driver, Lawrence

“Yes, we have, for mostly children’s books.”

— Kirby Schmelzle, insurance sales, Lawrence

Lawrence Public Library sees dramatic increase in demand

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LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

hitme (anonymous) says…

I get all my reading done at the walk-in clinic. Wish they both had wireless.
February 26, 2009 at 4:26 a.m.
ohjayhawk (anonymous) says…

I've been to the local library in the past year, but, since I unfortunately have not been in Lawrence since 2001, I'd have to answer no.
February 26, 2009 at 5:16 a.m.
Informed (anonymous) says…

Nope. I can sleep and bathe in my own home.
February 26, 2009 at 5:26 a.m.
RoeDapple (anonymous) says…

As a landmark for giving directions
February 26, 2009 at 5:45 a.m.
geekin_topekan (anonymous) says…

Agreed Multi!!
When you first walk into the library it smells of body funk.Not feet exclusively,but,mildew and armpit.
You get used to it after a few minutes though.Then it is not so noticable.
February 26, 2009 at 6:21 a.m.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…

Yes, but only the children's section. They do have wireless.
February 26, 2009 at 6:37 a.m.
xbusguy (chris Ogle) says…

warm in the winter, cool in summer.... did I mention free
February 26, 2009 at 7:08 a.m.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…

No, but I have been to the walk-in clinic. They do not have wireless.
February 26, 2009 at 7:54 a.m.
tyger_lily (anonymous) says…

I agree with Joni, the traffic there was horrible. I have since moved away from Lawrence and visit the local library often.
February 26, 2009 at 8:07 a.m.
dajudge (anonymous) says…

I have a library card that never is any good whenever I go. It's usually too long between visits, so I have to get a new one each time, therefore, I don't go anymore for the hassle of it.
February 26, 2009 at 8:24 a.m.
autie (anonymous) says…

I drove past once. No
February 26, 2009 at 8:34 a.m.
KansasPerson (anonymous) says…

We use it just about every week. We've always got books out, and some reserved so that we can get our turn with them when others are finished. Interlibrary loan has worked well for us, too. I just finished my library book for this week and I highly recommend it! ("Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen.)
February 26, 2009 at 8:59 a.m.
BorderRat (anonymous) says…

The last time I was in the library was when I got a summer job moving the books from the old building to the new one. I must say it smelled fresh and new then.
February 26, 2009 at 9:14 a.m.
tir (anonymous) says…

I often check out popular novels from the public library because I enjoy reading them but I don't really want or need to own a copy myself. It's also a good place to find how-to books or travel books. I usually put in requests for them online and pick them up from the hold shelf and check them out myself. I appreciate the reservation and self-checkout service--it means that I can get in and get out faster and don't have to stand in line.

I confess I don't like spending much time in the public library. I find it rather depressing. Lawrence could really use a new library, as the usage statistics show. I hope that eventually the city will find the funding for it.
February 26, 2009 at 9:15 a.m.
blue73harley (anonymous) says…

I went there last year when the Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations guys were there. I have a picture with me and the giant ball of video tape.
February 26, 2009 at 9:38 a.m.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…

I use the library fairly frequently--over the years, I have checked out thousands of nonfiction books on diverse topics, as well as a lot of fiction. I have read every year's edition in the "Best American Short Stories" series (http://www.bestamericanshortstories.c...) and many other collections of excellent short stories and plays.

I'd love to own all the books I've checked out but can't afford to buy everything I want to read. I have more books than I have room for at home already.

I totally don't get Joni and Tyger Lily's comments about it being hard to get in or out of the library due to traffic. The only time I've ever had parking trouble is at the height of summer when all the parking spaces are understandably taken by pool goers... Solution? Just park a couple blocks away and walk. How hard is that?

As for the place itself, the building & atmosphere are totally off-putting. The decor (to use that term loosely) appears to be mid-70s drab--is that when it was built? I don't stay at the library to read--I just get my books and leave.

It would be nice (if economic factors were not an issue) to see a new library built--or, ideally, a couple of branches, and to have a more modern approach. A coffee bar and lounge/reading area with inviting colors and decor, modeled after many of today's bookstores, would rock.

It is perfectly reasonable for a public facility maintained by taxpayers to be able to enact and enforce certain basic rules for patrons, such as:

If you stink (from BO, stale cig smoke, perfume, aftershave, Thunderbird vomit, or whatever) so badly that people complain, you must leave. Return when you no longer stink.
If you fall asleep you must leave. The library is not a flophouse and that chair is needed by readers or students.
If people complain because you are following them, staring at them or their children, or otherwise making patrons feel threatened, you must leave.
If you are talking (whether to yourself, others, or on a phone) or making other noise that disturbs others, you must leave.

Such rules do not address the question of whether you have a home or not--thus, they do not discriminate. If someone (employed or otherwise, homeowner or homeless) is so deranged that they don't realize there is a cloud of gagging stench surrounding them, there are public institutions that may be able to help them, and they are not libraries!

No one should have to stifle the gag reflex while trying to find a book. It's ridiculous that anyone should be considered "intolerant" or "uncompassionate" if they complain about someone who reeks to high heaven.
February 26, 2009 at 10:19 a.m.
ms_canada (anonymous) says…

No, but I do visit the Highlands Library every 2-3 weeks and borrow 4-5 books. I cannot afford to buy all the books I read, which adds up to about 70 per year. I do buy some books that I want to keep.
Internet, as Chris, the truck driver above says, is good for looking up stuff, but for the sheer joy of reading, there is nothing like holding a book and reading a well turned phrase. I truly marvel at the skill that some authors have with words and phrases. I would give a lot to have that ability.
February 26, 2009 at 10:33 a.m.
schula (anonymous) says…

Ms canada -- I just finished reading The Fiery Cross. It was from reading these boards that I got interested in the series. I believe you, Sunny Sue and Ceallach were discussing the series. I was intrigued and after reading Outlander, I was hooked. I am going to be visiting the library soon to find A Breath of Snow and Ashes. I thought the Fiery Cross was really good and there were several places that really touched my heart. Thanks to you, Sunny Sue and Ceallach for piquing my interest.
February 26, 2009 at 11:05 a.m.
alm77 (anonymous) says…

Yes, I would have never read all of Amy Tan's or Sue Grafton's books if I didn't get them from the library. The kids love it too. We love to go there and get a movie to take with us when we go on a trip.
February 26, 2009 at 12:03 p.m.
lazz (anonymous) says…

Many of these comments are flabbergasting. Even disturbing.
Pywacket, the rules you propose are, by and large, the rules enforced at the library; there's always (I think) a security guard on duty, and I from what I can see, they do a good job under difficult circumstances; it is, after all, a public building, so they can't be tossing out patrons just because they don't like the way they dress ... i go to the library at least three times a week, and haven't been approached or bothered by any homeless dudes that I can recall; just last night I was hit up for change in the dark alley when leaving Keno's - so does that mean I'm not going to go to Keno's or I'm going to knock it in a public forum?
And the decor? 70s drab?
It's a library, not a snazzy new multinational bookstore chain, and a PUBLIC (paid for with dwindling tax money) library, at that. And they're doing a fabulous job. Those of us who use it regularly really appreciate all the effort that's gone into making it so incredibly user-friendly.
Sure, renovations and satellite outlets would be nice; I've long thought an affordable solution to the space crunch would be to lease warehouse space north of the river and house the older, little-used books there, any of which could be retrieved when requested; and perhaps move the children's library into the old Carnegie Library building.
At any rate, if, when discussing a library, it's at all appropriate to discuss the books, videos and music -- are they regularly updated? are they readily available? are they kept in good condition? -- and the helpfulness of the staff, rather than bathing habits of some of the patrons, then absolute praise is in order. One other thing: The cookbook selection is second-to-none. I've never seen one better.
February 26, 2009 at 1 p.m.
sweetpea (anonymous) says…

If you need to own a book, try Half Price Books on 23rd street. You can get great $1 books in their clearance section. All their other books are cheap too. This is better for me since I often have overdue books!
February 26, 2009 at 1:04 p.m.
ms_canada (anonymous) says…

shula - yeh for you! Indeed those are the best. In fact so good that I read the whole series -6 books- twice. I don't usually like to take the time to do that, but they are so good you wish the story could go on forever and ever. Another group that you might want to try by Diana Gabaldon are the Lord John ones. I have one right here in my library bag that I will get to in a couple of days. Lord John is in the Outlander series. You know, the guy that was in love with Jamie.
The one I have now is Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade. Should be good.
If you like the historical base of books, you might want to try the Camulod Chronicle series by Canadian author Jack Whyte. Anyone to whom I have recommended these books has loved them as much as I do. Whyte also has a trilogy out on the Knights Templar. Excellent stories. Look at his website.
Did you read all of the Outlander series? I believe there are 6 books in the series.
February 26, 2009 at 1:18 p.m.
alm77 (anonymous) says…

sweetpea, I don't mind the fines. It's completely avoidable and if you do get a fine, well, at least it's for a good cause. :)
February 26, 2009 at 1:27 p.m.
witchfindergeneral (anonymous) says…

I have, but only for the free wireless. KU Libraries > Lawrence Public Library.
February 26, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.
ckeizer77 (Corey Keizer) says…

I like the 2nd and 3rd answers. 2nd because traffic in Lawrence is soooo bad. 3rd because everything on the internet is a valid dependable source of information.
February 26, 2009 at 3:09 p.m.
local_support (anonymous) says…

"I have, but only for the free wireless. KU Libraries > Lawrence Public Library."

Maybe so but not everyone in this town is a KU student or faculty.
February 26, 2009 at 4:49 p.m.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…

lazz~ Disturbing? What are you reading into my comments? To clarify what I did say, I've never personally had a problem with other patrons in all the years I've gone there, although I have given a few of them a wide berth due to the overpowering odor. My suggestions were made to address the frequent concerns others voice about the "smelly bums" (to use the typical phrase) who use the place as a flophouse, ogle teenage girls, etc. While some of those comments could be housed in kinder terms, I do think people have a point and are not simply being snooty or exclusionary.

As for your assertion that those are already the library's rules, good! That's a start. But it's unlikely they are being enforced--otherwise, would there be so many comments on the subject every time the library is discussed? Maybe the library needs to post those rules in several places so people know they have recourse if they're uncomfortable there due to other patrons.

Please show me where I advocated tossing anyone out because someone didn't like the way they were dressed. If that's the level of your reading comprehension, no wonder you felt flabbergasted. Shabby clothes don't drive away other patrons. An odor that curls the nostrils at 90 paces does. As for your never having been approached or bothered by anyone, do you imagine that is definitive proof that no one else has? I've never had my house broken into but I'm not so arrogant as to scoff at others' claims. And if someone feels harassed, they should reasonably expect that they can report the offender and that that person will be asked to leave. If that's already the policy, good. I am not sure people are aware of it, though.

Finally, I never intimated that the library had the means of becoming the next Barnes & Noble. I even acknowledged the problem of funding--so I can only conclude that you're willfully misunderstanding my comments. I also mentioned having checked out thousands of books over the years, so obviously my impression of the decor does not keep me away. That said, the appearance is very dull and uninviting and you're naive if you think that is totally unimportant.

If the library had the funding to do as other libraries are doing (and finding profitable), and could ramp up the ambience, more people would probably go there. Others (like me), who already go might hang around for an hour and spend some money on coffee or a soft drink. I do not intend to stop using the library because of its dated and boring atmosphere--but I would probably use it more if it could be made more inviting. Atmosphere does matter. It's not the be-all or the end-all, but it goes a long way toward getting people in and making them feel comfortable there. If they do not feel comfortable, they may never find out what an excellent breadth of materials have been collected. And that would be a shame.
February 26, 2009 at 8:47 p.m.
merrill (anonymous) says…

Frequently for books of course and movies such as the old musicals. Yep great selection.

The place is quite busy each time we're there. I say build more space, say two stories, above the parking lot.

Then build a three story parking/metered lot on the NW corner of 8th and Vermont.

The current library needs more bike lock up contraptions.
February 26, 2009 at 10:20 p.m.
Omegatron (anonymous) says…

Library's location suck, always has. Tear it down and build a new one out there by prairie park nature center.
February 27, 2009 at 2:37 a.m.