[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Oh my, my, my, a bit grumpy this morning, retired guy 123? (I don’t really think you mean to sound a little Fahrenheit 451-ish. But lately that book is looking more like non-fiction, so I am a bit sensitive on the subject.)

People still do read books. Lots of them. Also, books have become rather expensive to buy so book exchanges are a wonderful idea.

The Lake County libraries are still public libraries. Like all public libraries, book donations are a help to their budget. Sometimes they add the donated books to the collection, if the titles are needed, but most often the books are sold by their Friends of the Library organization and the money is used to buy more books for the collection. The “Friends” shops in public libraries are also a good place to buy books at highly reasonable costs. My northern home city has an entire store for just the Friends of the Library to sell donated books. People love it and it definitely helps the public library budget for more books.

I have not been to the little library in the historic section for a long time. I went there to donate a few years ago and it was a nice operation that I think was run by all volunteers.

I am 99 and 44/100% sure the on-site libraries in the Sumter County parts of TV were privatized years ago — and most of you do not want to hear my opinion on that……..

Marian Boomer

Yes, the Sumter County libraries are operated by a private company. But, why don't they have any security for the books and DVDs? I have seen people walk out with 10-15 movie DVDs. No electronic security. That is my tax money being wasted.

Sorry for being grumpy, but I don't think we need 30 more locations for free books, even if people still read them. I read books, but I buy them on my Kindle.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by jnsbill

is the Sumter County library on Powell Road golf cart accessible?

I have seen golf carts in the stores just around the corner from the Sumter County Library on Powell Road. And some in the library parking lot as well.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Yes, the Sumter County libraries are operated by a private company. But, why don't they have any security for the books and DVDs? I have seen people walk out with 10-15 movie DVDs. No electronic security. That is my tax money being wasted.

Sorry for being grumpy, but I don't think we need 30 more locations for free books, even if people still read them. I read books, but I buy them on my Kindle.

Yep. It’s our tax money — privatized — just like charter schools. They get our money and then get to have their privatized ways with it. But…….

Anyway, about the lack of security……those libraries use our tax money to operate at a profit and to make privatized decisions about the collection and to not need to provide the level of benefits for employees, etc…….

And…security systems cost a lot of money. Libraries buy for their collections usually through contracts with wholesalers. It’s probably creepily cheaper for a for-profit operation to let the collection walk. They cannot confront the thieves so they have to look the other way. If thieves thought an alarm would go off, it would help, but privatized libraries are unlikely to put in a $ecurity $ystem. Interesting that it is the DVDs that are stolen — not surprising though.

While we are talking about grumpy mornings, I must confess that I feel grumpy now because I am reminded that I have never liked the fact that libraries turned themselves into video stores years ago. But that’s just my personal grumpiness showing. It’s too late now to change that method of operation. The screeniacs rule and must be pandered to. It was a marketing thing for the public libraries way back when it all started.

I like to give away books, although I do keep some. I used to drop off my daughter’s childhood books in laundromats in hope that a little kid might find them and the parent might read to them while waiting for the washer and dryer to finish……..

(sigh) I was such an optimist in those days. Now, for so many children, screens are the infinitely patient babysitter. I have heard some young parents do some bizarro bragging about their babies’ favorite movies. Babies! All swaddled in their little pumpkin seats! Plugged in and glued to screens! (shudder, EEK!) I know parents are often very tired, but c’mon, hypnotizing a baby with a screen is nothing to brag about………

But…….I digress.

I remain,
Marian Boomerosaurus

[frostola]

Bargains & Blessings and my Mother’s Attic on Main Street in Wildwood take books. Great place to find books, paperbacks 50 cents hardcover $1.

[donnamayo]

Originally Posted by jnsbill

is the Sumter County library on Powell Road golf cart accessible?

Yes, you can take your cart there

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The Pine Hills pool. The books are inside the equipment room.

The Sumter County library on Powell Road has a room where "Friends of the Library" sells books for 50 cents and a dollar. Note that they don't open until 10am.

Was also a FOTL book sale room at the Bellvidere location unless they folded up during covid ?

We once lived in a community that had an awesome library, new, beautiful, big expansive patio with even a cafe. One entire room was an "honor system room", where people brought books and could take any books, according to the number they brought. Would be a wonderful addition to the villages, takes a limited number of volunteer hours as the only "work" is making sure occasionally that people place the donated books in the correct sections: history, crafts, novels, etc. but most is just an "honor system" of exchanging books you've read or no longer need !

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

All the rec centers? In my opinion, one thing The Villages doesn't need is more places to get books. Books are everywhere and very few people actually read them.

What ??? Really that is your experience ? We've found the villages have even more books clubs, and more readers and people always discussing the latest books they've read than our former colleagues and neighbors at the university where we taught !

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Yes, the Sumter County libraries are operated by a private company. But, why don't they have any security for the books and DVDs? I have seen people walk out with 10-15 movie DVDs. No electronic security. That is my tax money being wasted.

Sorry for being grumpy, but I don't think we need 30 more locations for free books, even if people still read them. I read books, but I buy them on my Kindle.

I'm a little confused on this one. I am at one or more villages library locations every week. Usually check out books, not DVD's but, was under the impression those DVD cases are EMPTY ? To actually be able to "walk out" with a DVD, I believe you have to go to the desk, present your card, and check it out in your name... THEN you can "walk out" with it. Now perhaps you can actually steal books, if that is your aim, but I don't think you can actually steal DVD's. Correct me if I'm wrong, maybe I just don't know how to do that ?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

I'm a little confused on this one. I am at one or more villages library locations every week. Usually check out books, not DVD's but, was under the impression those DVD cases are EMPTY ? To actually be able to "walk out" with a DVD, I believe you have to go to the desk, present your card, and check it out in your name... THEN you can "walk out" with it. Now perhaps you can actually steal books, if that is your aim, but I don't think you can actually steal DVD's. Correct me if I'm wrong, maybe I just don't know how to do that ?

There are two Sumter County libraries in the Villages area. One is near Pinellas Plaza on Powell Road, and the other is on Belvedere Blvd near the Pimlico rec center. They both have DVD movies and TV shows on the shelves that are not empty. Anyone can walk out of the library with them and there is no electronic security. The cases are not even locked, so you can remove the discs from the case and put the disc in your pocket. I am not suggesting that you do this, but it is what it is. I think there should be more security to protect the library property.

[nhtexasrn]

All Booked Up in Colony Plaza will take the books and give you a big discount on any books you buy from them. That being said, not sure if they have a limit on how many books they take at a time.

[Dgodin]

The VA center at the villages accepts donated books. They then give them away free in the lobby.

[asiebel]

Originally Posted by pablo cruze

Hello,
Is there a location w/i the Villages for book exchange? I have a box of books to donate.
Thank you

Most thrift stores will take your books. I take mine to Bargains and Blessings in Wildwood.

[jimschlaefer]

Originally Posted by pablo cruze

Hello,
Is there a location w/i the Villages for book exchange? I have a box of books to donate.
Thank you

Sumpter Town Hall (where you do licenses, taxes, etc.) has a library that takes book donations. They then "sell" them for pennies on the dollar and use the money for charity.