The last thing libraries need is Silicon Valley “disruption.”

Re:The last thing libraries need is Silicon Valley “disrupti... by cdubzzz on Friday July 27, 2018 @11:44AM (#17626791)

> They also often serve as local community centers of sorts.

The public libraries in Seattle are an amazing thing. My wife goes to "kids play time" with our ten month old son at a couple of different libraries every week. And we can also bring him in to the kids play area any time and take the kids area books on the honor system. It's a really great way to interact with other kids until we start using day care or he gets to preschool age. And it gives my wife a chance to meet other parents and get a break.

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Re:The last thing libraries need is Silicon Valley “disrupti... by prolikewh0a on Friday July 27, 2018 @12:33PM (#17627194)

The Capitol Hill branch of Seattle Public Libraries was the first Library I had been to in probably 20 years and I fell in love with the entire system. It made me read much more than I was in the past and the free events and learning they have are amazing. It is an enormous benefit to the citizens of the city, as well as the low income/poor who can charge their cell phones or use the internet so they can keep up with potential employers who may call them or send them emails, as well as look for jobs or complete online applications (as well as many more things).

They also provide a free subscription to Lynda with your library card.

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Re:The last thing libraries need is Silicon Valley “disrupti... by cdubzzz on Friday July 27, 2018 @01:23PM (#17627549)

Cool! Didn't know about Lynda.

You can also get free tickets to a lot of local museums: https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/arts-and-culture/m...

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Re:The last thing libraries need is Silicon Valley “disrupti... by prolikewh0a on Friday July 27, 2018 @01:26PM (#17627580)

If you haven't checked out the Living Computer Museum down in SoDo, it's an absolute MUST. SPL provides free tickets to it :)

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Re:The last thing libraries need is Silicon Valley “disrupti... by nojvek on Friday July 27, 2018 @12:26PM (#17627140)

I used to go to Bellevue Library every single weekend because my wife used to work around there. Just being able to randomly fall upon an old book was great. The atmosphere, a sense of community, a nice park besides. A library is a lot more than a collection of books.

I'm so damn glad King county does a good job maintaining the community libraries.

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