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pixel_of_moral_decay t1_izoc1pi wrote

It's pretty limited in many states. Few books, cumbersome. Pretty archaic.California's libraries are way ahead in terms of US libraries.

Most of the world even physical books you can order via kiosk or app, and pickup at one of many locations like supermarkets, post offices, etc where libraries have sometimes just a locker, or a small kiosk or storefront. Return at any one of them too. Smaller locations will have a few computers for research etc.

vs. the archaic buildings full of dusty books and people having to wait a few days for a book they want or travel to the right library to get it which is how NY still operates.

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King-of-New-York OP t1_izoigus wrote

A not often talked about aspect of having books ordered is a loss of serendipity. Finding a book by chance, whether in a library or bookstore, on subject matter or genre that you previously had no knowledge or interest in is one of the most fun ways to expand your imagination or world view.

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turnupthesun211 t1_izohbdb wrote

>Most of the world even physical books you can order via kiosk or app, and pickup at one of many locations like supermarkets, post offices, etc where libraries have sometimes just a locker, or a small kiosk or storefront.

A lot of the places that utilize this method do not have a large number of accessible branches for patrons to use AKA the opposite of 3 systems in NYC.

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JustMeRC t1_izpz1nn wrote

Dusty books, lol. You know librarians regularly remove books that don’t circulate from their collections, right? Shelf space is valuable. Do you think libraries just keep accumulating books and never get rid of any?

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tearsana t1_izraicm wrote

you can order books you want through the library system, it just takes a while given yhe number of people and the limited copies a library has.

the library also offers a lot of community service. they offer job skills training for adults, translation services, government aid help workshops etc. I frequently use mine for 3d printing.

a lot of the city are immigrants and the library provides many essential service for these families.

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