I love my local library - it has a fabulous collection, is close to my house, and the employees are great. But every once in awhile, some bookworm problems arise - here's a countdown of my five biggest bookworm problems associated with the library.
5. They don't have a book I want. Now, this rarely happens. My library is part of a county system, so usually one of the libraries will have what I'm looking for. But sometimes, they don't. Thankfully, I can make purchase or inter-library loan requests. However, even this isn't guaranteed. I requested a book recently without realizing it hadn't come out in the United States yet. The library was unable to get a copy of it, and they weren't sure when it would be released here (my sister was able to get a Kindle version of the book, though!).
4. A book is missing from the shelf. Most of the time when I go to the library, I'm picking up holds that have come in, but sometimes I'll go in to peruse the shelves or grab something particular. I try to make sure before I go that it's actually available, but when I get there, it's gone! Either it's been shelved incorrectly or someone else got to it before I did.
3. The teen room is only for teens. At my library, the YA section is housed in its own special room, with a big sign that says, "TEENS ONLY." While I love the idea of young adults having their own space, can I really not go in there? I just want to get one thing off the shelves!
2. I waited too long to put myself on a wait list. Sometimes there are just too many books for me to remember, and I don't always get myself on the wait list for a popular book early enough. When I finally get around to it, sure enough, I'm 109th on the list. See you in six months?
And my #1 bookworm problem at the library is...
1. All my holds come in at the same time. It's not unusual for me to have five or ten books on hold at a time, at various stages of the wait list. Usually I do a pretty good job of managing them so I get a couple at a time, but every once in awhile, the stars will align (or misalign) and suddenly eight books are waiting to be picked up!
So, fellow bookworms, what are some issues you've run into at the library?
I feel your pain, Angela! We don't have a big English section in the libraries where I live. That's the biggest problem. They also never have any new releases unless it's J.K. Rowling or Stephen King. I tried requesting books but they either don't order them at all or on the rare occasion that they do, it takes a very long time. So I've mostly given up on the library. It costs money to have a card there and I can't get the books I really want so it's not really worth it for me. It's sad because I loved to go when I was a child and in my early teens. Sorry for the rant. This comment turned out to be longer than I thought it would be. lol
ReplyDeleteNo problem! That really stinks, and I feel bad for you! I can't believe you have to pay to have a card! I guess I can kinda see that they would only have the really big authors, but there's so much more out there!
DeleteHaha, YES! My library doesn’t have a teen room, but it’s pretty common that they don’t have the book I want. The waitlists are nuts. My holds all come in at once, and then I have to go back on the waitlist because I can’t read that fast!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Yes, and then I find myself practically just skimming the books to read faster.
DeleteYup, that's my #1 library problem, too! I've recently discovered the 'suspend hold' function and that comes in handy when I notice I'm at the top of the list for multiple books.
ReplyDeleteI definitely use the suspend function, especially if I'm going to be away.
DeleteOh wow the YA sections is TEENS ONLY? Yikes- stay out lol. I mean, I agree it's nice that they have their own room, but YA is so... I don't know, so many adults are reading stuff labeled YA now. I never thought about something like that! And yes, holds coming in all at once seems to be like a weird universal rule or something. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I guess they don't want adults just hanging out in there? I'm not really sure. LOL, glad I'm not the only one whose holds all come in at once!
DeleteI thought I was the only one whose holds all seem to pile up at once! My library is only my township and not part of the county system, so I accept that they won't have everything I want - that being said, they have bought pretty much every purchase suggestion I have made (and i make at least 2 per month, too much??)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not too much, as long as they keep buying them, I'd keep suggesting them!
DeleteThere are tons of books that go missing in a library and librarians may not know about it. Try to call beforehand to see if they can do a shelf check of the book. You aren't a librarian but you may be able to as anyways.
ReplyDeleteThe teen room thing... I now they are creating spaces just for teens but I've never heard of the YA books just being available to the teens. Bother them about getting a YA book or discuss it with the branch manager. Maybe you can find a way around it?
If it's a popular book though, at least with my library, there is probably like 50 copies so it shouldn't be too bad hopefully.
You should be able to change the date of when you put a book on hold. You can postpone the time on your account. Ask a staff member!
The issues I tend to run to is when browsing at a library not having a great selection, the computer's default being a pain, and the kids. Some staff just don't tell them to lower their voice which drives me insane.
The YA books are available to all, I've definitely gotten YA books from my library, I think maybe just for the room, they don't want adults going in there and lounging! I usually just put books on hold and they show up for me to pick up, but once in awhile I just want to browse the YA section!
DeleteYep, there's a suspend hold function on our online accounts for holds. I do use it quite often, but sometimes it seems like even if I'm 8th in line for one book and 2nd for another and 4th for another, for some reason, I get to the top of the list at the same time for all of them!
Numbers 1 and 2 are so relatable. My holds almost always seem to show up at the same time, so there's no way I can possibly get them all read in the 14 days I'm allotted. And those long waiting lists drive me crazy. I reserve a lot of ebooks that way and cringe when I click on some of the titles I've forgotten to add my name to sooner. I clicked on one the other day and it projected a 54 week wait, lol.
ReplyDelete54 weeks?? Oh, my. Hopefully people will be respectful and read quickly!
DeleteWow, 14 days is not long! We get 3 weeks, and if no one else wants the book, we can renew.
I totally understand all of these, Angela! ♥️
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer!
DeleteThat's great that they have a space for teens, but how frustrating for anyone else who wants to read YA! Can you ask the librarian to grab the book for you if you know what you want at least? Your #1 problem, I feel like that's just a law of life lol. Everyone always comes piling in all at once!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I'm glad I'm not the only person that happens to!
DeleteI seem to have no problem getting YA books if I place a hold on them online, so maybe I should just stick to doing that?
Great post! Your library does sound great for the most part but the Teens Only sign is.... Weird? Especially these days when there are more and more adults reading YA. I think #1 and #2 are easily relatable to most bookworms who make use of their library!!! I use my old home town's library stioll when I go back there and then when I'm not there I will use the ebook library version and it seems to be that every time I travel my holds click in.... 🙈😂
ReplyDeleteRight?? Every time.
DeleteThe more I think about it, the more I think the Teens Only thing is so adults aren't just sitting in there, hanging out. There are spots for kids to sit, do homework, and stuff, so I think they want to just give them space.
What is with that hold phenomena? That always happens to me too.
ReplyDeleteI always thought it was a coincidence, but there seems to be something else at work here, haha!
DeleteI have to admit, I do not go to the Library as much as I once did or should. I used to go all the time with my kids but don't seem to get there. What normally happens to me is a get a book or two and it's due back so fast that I don't get time to read the whole thing and wind up purchasing it anyway. I think once my girls are out of the house and I am at of school and have more time to dedicate to reading, it will not be a problem. =)
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question - not enough time to read the books you get.
Mary
Yes, that can be a problem! I have too many books out right now and I'm trying to prioritize because I know I'm not going to be able to renew all of them!
Delete