#use your libraries

[anotherpapercut]

yesterday I went to a little meeting at my local queer community center and I was admiring their bookshelves and mentioned that I work at the public library and someone said "well I bet they don't have any [LGBTQ+ books] at our library" and I was like um. yes we do. we have tons of them. half of our employees are queer leftists so they said "oh well I bet they don't in [nearby rural county]" and I was like uh once again yes they absolutely do. gay people live and work there as well

so here's a quick reminder that if you don't think your local library has enough queer centered materials you should actually check before assuming, and if you're not satisfied with their collection you should submit a request for more such books. I don't know what the political landscape of libraries looks like outside the us rn, but within the us no matter where you are, I promise you there are employees at your library fighting for inclusion and intellectual freedom and they can't win without vocal public support

[guatejimin]

religion and education

today’s library pick-up. luckily, my local library recently became fine-free, so i can take my time with this read. (generally, i am a slow reader.)

the synopsis of this book really intrigued me as someone who has been part of both extremely religious environments and academic ones. these days, i try to strike the balance between both and see how religion (or faith) and science can actually complement each other more than hurt each other. some will of course disagree, but i still think religion has very valuable aspects when it is not extremist. it teaches us humility, it teaches us not to fear, and it brings us closer to a higher power that is bigger than us and any other thing.

most of the time when people i know speak up against religion, they are referring to organized religion or are referring to their experiences coming across bigoted far-right Christians in the U.S. but can we, for just a few minutes, try to conceptualize other ways in which people outside this group practice religion? what about Christians outside of the U.S.? what about those Christians who form part of the left? what about other religions we may have never even heard of?

i would be curious to hear about Tara Westover’s own thoughts about this.

[transannabeth]

btw if you borrow dvds or cds from library you can rip them onto your own blanks or onto your hard drive or whatever. librarians don’t care and they won’t know if you do it or not

[mibkid]

Yet again, or maybe i haven’t said it on tumblr yet, but use your libraries, LIBRARIES ARE GREAT, borrow books, ask for them to buy in some books, etc etc. 

Libraries are awesome. 

I have recently been reading more manga bc of my library in the city whenever i am by, and i have asked my local library to buy in some books. Genuinely i would have not been able to read haikyu, what did you eat yesterday, my love mix-up, or A terrified teacher at ghoul school if it wasn’t for my library, because manga is not cheap! 

And, i tend to read manga a bit fast so it’s kind to my own pockets.... also also it makes it able for me to read books and see if i ever wanna buy them in the future. 

YET AGAIN LIBRARIES ARE SO AWESOME AND COOL. 

And so are librarians. 

[fangtastic-vampyra]

buying books & reading books..two different hobbies.

[burins]

I know this is the Take Personal Responsibility for Systemic Issues website, but I keep seeing weirdly guilt trippy posts about libraries and ebook licenses, which are a labyrinth from hell and not actually something you personally need to feel guilty about. here are a few facts about ebook licenses you may not know:

in Libby/Overdrive, which currently operates in most US public libraries, ebook licenses vary widely in how much they cost and what their terms are. some ebooks get charged per use, some have a set number of uses before the license runs out, and others have a period of time they're good for (usually 1-2 years) with unlimited checkouts during that period before they expire. these terms are set by the publisher and can also vary from book to book (for instance, a publisher might offer two types of licenses for a book, and we might buy one copy of a book with a set number of uses we want to have but know won't move as much, and another copy with a one year unlimited license for a new bestseller we know will be really moving this year.)

you as a patron have NO way of knowing which is which.

ebook licenses are very expensive compared to physical books! on average they run about 60 bucks a pop, where the same physical book would cost us $10-15 and last us five to ten years (or much longer, if it's a hardcover that doesn't get read a lot.)

if your library uses Hoopla instead, those are all pay per use, which is why many libraries cap checkouts at anywhere between 2-10 per month.

however.

this doesn't mean you shouldn't use ebooks. this doesn't mean you should feel guilty about checking things out! we buy ebook licenses for people to use them, because we know that ebook formats are easier for a lot of people (more accessible, more convenient, easier for people with schedules that don't let them get into the library.) these are resources the library buys for you. this is why we exist. you don't need to feel guilty about using them!

things that are responsible for libraries being underfunded and having to stretch their resources:

government priorities and systemic underfunding of social services that don't turn a profit and aren't easily quantified

our society's failure to value learning and pleasure reading for their own sake

predatory ebook licensing models

things that are not responsible for libraries being underfunded:

individual patron behavior

I promise promise promise that your personal library use is not making or breaking your library's budget. your local politicians are doing that. capitalism is doing that. you are fine.

(if you want to help your local library, the number one thing you can do is to advocate for us! talk to your city or county government about how much you like the library. or call or write emails or letters. advocate for us locally. make sure your state reps know how important the library is to you. there are local advocacy groups in pretty much every state pushing for library priorities. or just ask your local librarian. we like to answer questions!

also, if you're in Massachusetts, bill h3239 would make a huge difference in letting us negotiate ebook prices more fairly. tell your rep to vote for it!)

[ithinkdogshouldvote]

Terry I love you. You are so weird. WHY do you have a sword????

[detroitlib]

View of a banner displayed on lawn in front of the Cass Ave. entrance, Main Library, Detroit Public Library. Banner reads: "Knowledge is power. Visit the Detroit Public Library." Handwritten on back: "Main Library, exterior view, Cass Avenue addition looking east. Photo taken in 2005."

Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

[birdietrait]

[buildnbuy]

Brewster's Bistro & Books

In the heart of Britechester, Brewster's Bistro & Books has served University students and locals for decades. The bistro makes a great spot for totally just friends to meet, and the above library houses excess and archival books from the nearby Laurel Library. There is also a small unfurnished rental unit perfect for students or visitors alike to immerse themselves in one of Britechester's cultural hubs.

Lot Information

Lot Size: 20x20

Lot Type: Bar, Library, or Rental.

Packs Required: Discover University, Cozy Bistro, and Riviera Retreat.

Available for download on the gallery.

EA ID: buildandbuy

[bitethebard]

saw a twitter post the other day where someone lamented how they wish university libraries were public and, if you are in the US, most public libraries (if not all, but I only am very familiar with one out of many) can request books from libraries across the country AND world, including major universities. My local library is, in fact, connected to the largest university in the county.

I'm currently reading a design book from a library that is across the country from a university because it's relatively academic and niche. If you can, take an hour to just dig through your local library website, or even better, call them!

Support your local libraries! It's free :)

[bottombaron]

you know, i can handle a little bit of fun "Nandor is dumb" talk, but i have a net-zero tolerance for any implication that Nandor is not educated.

Nandor would have been incredibly educated in his lifetime.

even (or especially) as a soldier in the Islamic World. being a soldier was more like getting sent to boarding school that's also a military camp. they weren't just concerned with creating loyal fodder for war. they were building the next government officials, generals, accountants, advisors, etc. it was important that young men knew how to read, write, speak multiple languages, learn philosophy...sometimes even studying art and music was mandatory.

if he was nobility (and its most likely he was), take all that shit and multiply it exponentially. Nandor would have been reading Plato at the same age most people are still potty training. he would have been specifically groomed in such a way to not be just a brilliant strategist and warrior, but also diplomate and ambassador of literally the center of scientific and cultural excellence of the age.

so like yeah, he can be a big dummy sometimes, sure. but that bitch is probably more educated than any of us will ever be.

[moonlitfalls]

- reno’s outfits -

i’ve never been so attached to a sim before, i just want to post her all the time <3

[remylebeau76]

I am 🌟 COLLECTING 🌟 library cards

Reminder that the Libby App (library app - has books, audio, graphic novels) let's you add multiple libraries, you just need your card number and pin, and when you search for materials will search all of the data bases you have access to! Making the chances of you getting the book (and quickly for example if one library has a wait-list for the book, another might not) much better!!!

Don't buy books from Audible/Amazon when you can use free public resources even if you can't leave your house! You can even apply for library cards online without going in and usually get a 30 day grace period before having to go in with a license/id for a permanent library card 💖💖💖

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

shout-out to my public library for getting me an inter-library loan copy from the fucking LIBRARY OF CONGRESS?!?

[peachcitt]

punches you in the face. don’t use ai for stupid shit. hey. look me in the eyes. anything you want to ask gemini meta mr beast look-alike whatever the fuck you can just google. please just fucking read. is it that bad to think for yourself. is it too much to ask for you get your wrong answers and shitty party ideas from friends and family and strangers on the internet like god intended. jesus christ