Best library?

DiscussãoSan Diego Bibliophiles

Aderi ao LibraryThing para poder publicar.

Best library?

Este tópico está presentemente marcado como "adormecido"—a última mensagem tem mais de 90 dias. Pode acordar o tópico publicando uma resposta.

1BookaholicFromBirth
Jun 1, 2011, 2:57 pm

What is your favorite San Diego library branch? I finally ventured out and got a library card at La Mesa and to be honest I'm very disappointed in their selection. I know there's a ton of libraries in the area, so I thought I'd ask you lovely bibliophiles which ones you'd recommend.

2bestem
Jun 1, 2011, 7:09 pm

If you know what book (or whatever) you're looking for, you can request it to go to any branch. It's a very nice service, that I used a ton before I moved away from San Diego.

I grew up near the Linda Vista branch, and have always appreciated it. I'm not sure how great their collection is, but it really embodies the idea of a branch library, as it definitely services the community that it's in. Many books and other forms of media in the languages spoken by the people who live there. Kids who line up an hour before the library opens (mostly so they can use the computer), but once getting in, go to the front desk to get board games and crayons and such. Maybe it's because it's what I grew up with, but my idea of what a library is, is definitely colored by my experience there.

I also liked the Mission Valley branch, once it was opened, but that was really because of how easy it was for me to get to on the bus and trolley.

And despite the age of the downtown library, I can literally spend hours in the stacks there.

3BookaholicFromBirth
Jun 1, 2011, 8:45 pm

Thanks for the info! I wasn't familiar with the electronic self checkout thing at La Mesa. I've owned library cards in four states now and none of them had that, it's so neat! Haha I'm such a dork I was giggling while the librarian was showing me how to do it. :D

I did use the library website to request some books, but all the ones I wanted are checked out or have waits (and they aren't even new books!!), so I went to the stacks to browse and it just seems like La Mesa doesn't have much selection at all. I'll try Mission Valley since it's on the trolley line. Yay!

4bestem
Jun 1, 2011, 10:08 pm

If I wanted to browse for more than just a few minutes, I usually went downtown. I would stop at different libraries along various bus routes all the time, and look at their new books, and in the genre's I liked to see if there was anything that popped out at me, which never took more than 30 minutes, and at LV or MV I'd just look at the new books which would take me like 5 minutes. At most of the branches, I spent a lot more time looking at the Friends of the Library Booksale offerings than at the books to check out. A very large portion of my books are picked up 5 for a dollar from the ever-changing paperback books for sale at the LV branch.

5mlpicou
Jun 24, 2011, 11:47 am

San Marcos has "new book" shelves, but I've already read them from Carlsbad Library at least a year ago. SD County used to be very good - 30 years ago- but I think budget constraints have taken their toll.

6GlendaHam
Jun 25, 2011, 12:30 pm

I do the same thing, bestern, usually the books in the "for sale" racks are very readable and I can post them on bookmooch after reading. Whereas the offerings at my local Mira Mesa branch are pretty meager and like the San Marco 'new book' shelf, some of those books have been there for months!!
For me, the best two libraries are Rancho Penasquitos and Rancho Bernardo... a bit of a drive, but worth it. and RB semi-annual book sale is to die for!!! great bargains.

7Keeline
Jun 28, 2011, 9:31 am

I used to be an avid user of libraries, checking out books and keeping them to the limit and beyond because my ability to read them was not quite up to my ambition to select them. Now I visit libraries for events (like the bimonthly San Diego Shakespeare Society presentations at the Mission Valley library next to Ikea) and sometimes to look at reference volumes (especially SDSU and sometimes UCSD). However, it seems to me that libraries don't have the space to keep older fiction (unless deemed a "classic") and the selection seldom matches my interests at the time. So the solution is to build our own library of books we might care to read (or gaze upon) now or in the future. With a "private library" you get to control accessions and deaccessions, organization, and check out times are unlimited. You don't rely on some other person or committee that decides what to keep and reject.

James

8ronincats
Jun 28, 2011, 1:46 pm

I live within two blocks of the City Heights/Weingart library, which is a beautiful new facility. However, the books are the same collection, plus some new ones , and often I can't find what I want as the selection is definitely still limited. Of course, I then go online to find the book within the system and have it sent over. I use the library more than ever these days to try out new series and authors, and read classics I don't want to keep on my shelves.

9WordMaven
Jun 30, 2011, 7:32 pm

For beauty, you cannot beat the ENCINITAS branch of the San Diego County Library system. If you haven't been there, go quickly. The entire west wall is windows with a panorama of the Pacific Ocean. Plus, the library has a veranda with chairs and tables where you can relax with your laptop, book, or sandwich. It is just glorious.

If only gas weren't $3.65/gallon (at CostCo!) I'd get up there more often. The view is spectacular.

10libshea
Editado: Jun 30, 2011, 7:34 pm

I frequent the University Heights and North Park Branches. Both need to be torn down and rebuilt. The North Park one is always busy -- not only the computer section, but people really utilize the chairs and tables to read the newspapers and magazines, etc. It just makes me happy to see so many people in there! And most of the librarians are wonderful!

I generally put holds on whatever I want via the internet and find that unless it's a new release I can get it within a few days. And there are so many books out there that I want to read, that it doesn't matter what number in line I am in -- unless I just gotta have it, I can wait and save the $15-$20 bucks it would cost me to buy it on other things!

11BookaholicFromBirth
Jul 16, 2011, 11:55 pm

Thanks for all of the input everyone! After a minor setback, I'm finally starting to branch out with the trolley and beyond, so hopefully travels to branches other than La Mesa are in my future!

Adira para publicar