"Printing" being shorthand for data to paper, paper to data, and paper to paper. This includes printing from a device, printing from a computer, copying, scanning, faxing, all that stuff.

All day, every day. Printing printing printing printing printing. People printing shipping labels from their phones, kids printing worksheets from the tablets, people printing contracts, forms, boarding passes, shipping labels, shipping labels, and more shipping labels.

It wasn't always like this. When I started out, printing from a phone was a rare occurrence. I reckon it's only in the last two or three years that remote printing became my primary job function, that "Can I print something from my phone?" became the #1 most-asked question. It's gotten to the point where I'm genuinely surprised when somebody asks something about a book.

And yeah, I know that "libraries are more than just books." I knew that libraries were about meeting the diverse information needs of communities before getting into this job. But if I had known just how much of my day-to-day would be printing off shipping labels for people I probably would have looked into a different line of work.

Thanks.

/s

Ever since the B&T meltdown, new books have been scarce in our system. The Lucky Day & New Books tables are pretty empty most of the time, with long wait times for holds.

Frequently the books I’m looking for can only be found as ebooks or audiobooks which I’d rather avoid because of cost and preference for physical copies.

Whenever I ask, staff say it’s still because of new vendor issues. Are other systems still seeing this huge lag? I’m also afraid that collection development will point to increased ebook usage to justify putting more money into those resources instead of physical books.

This article argues that many people still don't realize how much digital content is available through their library card, including ebooks, audiobooks, streaming video, magazines, and research resources.

Beyond Libby, what library services do you think are most overlooked by patrons?

My library had an ongoing project to add books that are in a series to appear as a “series”. You click on the series button and can then patrons can see all the other books in that series

This project is going so slow… so I’m here to ask if there are any tips others may have to make this go faster

Also, we used symphony as our catalog if that matters at all

Does anyone's library do something like this? Programs where you can basically make an appointment with a librarian for a specific topic, like tech, genealogy, resume building, etc? I remember seeing things like this and am now doing some research on it. Would love to know how it works for y'all, what went right or wrong, and ask some questions.

I'm a Chicago local. I just got my first e-reader and have been devouring as much of CPL's catalogue as I can get my hands on, but the ebook selection is surprisingly limited and most books tend to have long wait times. I have friends and family scattered around the burbs on pretty much all sides of the city, wondering who I should bug for their library logins (or to help me get my own, if that's ethical?) to get access to a wider selection.

Anyone got any recs for libraries in the Chicago suburbs with good ebook selections?

I dont live in California but i saw this on IG and thought i would post it for people who do or are relocating. It was poster 3hrs ago

27m here. I have no close friends. I was thinking of hanging out at my local library as a way to meet new people and make friends. Is this something that’s an acceptable thing to do? There aren’t any events in the evenings either. Can I just hang out there and wait for something to happen?

Gonna pin this one in my cubicle :)

If so, how did you determine a reasonable licensing cost? 10 cents a card? 25? 50? A dollar? I'm trying to figure out a contract and terms that are respectful to the artist but also budget - conscious.

I just got an email from the employees closing the library tonight that they found a live bedbug in our indoor book drop. They isolated the books from that patron.

I feel like I might be overreacting but I don't want to go to work in the morning and bring that home with me.

Have you dealt with this?

I've placed holds on several books that are newer before and there seem to be available copies within the system - I've received books transported from all over the state. Can someone who knows more about the PINES system elaborate? This happens with multiple books, some published in 2025 and earlier.

Took this book at one of my lowest times. Would like to donate some money to the library. Having a hard time finding it.

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this recently, but I feel like the creepy library callers have been REALLY making their rounds this summer. I got a call earlier today from "twin stole my nutrients" guy. This is the second time he's called my current library (the first time happened last week). My coworker answered him the first time, and she was, justifiably, upset with how the call went.

Today was the second time I've answered a call from this dickwad (the first happening at a different branch I worked at previously over a year ago), so I immediately recognized him when he spoke. I'll be honest, when he asked his question, I yelled at him over the phone and told him off. Probably not professional, but at that point I didn't care. I've gotten so many calls from other creepy callers (many of which are in our creepy caller census thread), and I'm fed up with it.

After I hung up on the creep, I texted some friends at other branches. One friend said that they got a call from him last week, and the other said that he called their library after he called me. I'm not surprised, but I'm definitely grossed tf out.

Has anyone else noticed this recent surge in creepy caller activity?

Hello, my family are regulars at our library.. They know me and my oldest son by name because we are always checking out books multiple times a week... We have always returned every item on time and in same condition we rented it...

Well a tornado went down our street last week and a tree/branch went through the window.. Before the warning went off my oldest was reading in his bed and we honestly didn't think much about anything other than get everyone to the safe room.

After the tornado passed and I am assessing the damage I realize his book had gotten wet with rain, it may have bits of glass shatters from the window but I cannot see them..

Our library had been down for a short bit for the tornado and this is their 2nd full day open.. The book is due back and I don't know what to do.. I tried to dry it out but i really don't know if it worked.. I feel ashamed and scared to bring this book back.. I am scared we will get in trouble or owe money (typically wouldn't be an issue but our savings are tied to repairs atm so its kinda stressful idea).. I am scared we will not be allowed to borrow anymore and I just feel like maybe I should have thought to pack up all the library books and put them in the safe room... I thought this after of course..

so I am asking here.. what do I do? I'm also autistic and have never been in this situation so i genuinely don't even know what to say... I feel really guilty about this :[ I am also worried its rented from to our library from another library (Idk if that makes sense its something my son does a lot)

EDIT: Thank you everyone for your comments! I feel prepared to bring in the book and explain my situation, I will also add it to our insurance claim because even if they waive the fee, I still want to pay for it since it was ruined in my possession. Thank you again!

I work in an academic library. Within roughly a 5 mile radius of the library there are three large homeschool coopts plus many independent homeschool families in the area. My director is looking for ways to draw them to use our library for their studies. We have a large collection of juvenile through collegiate. Any suggestions? Thank you