[retiredguy123]

I visited the brand new Lake County library in Fruitland Park today. It was built to replace the old library very close by. The library has a very stark and sterile appearance to it. It has a wrap around porch with a bare concrete finish that already has stress cracks all over it. The interior is mostly a very large room with wood like flooring. The computers are lined up on a long table in the center of the room, side by side. The computer screens are very close together with no privacy screens between them. I really liked the old library better because it had a lot more charactor to it. I can't help but think that they are just trying to spend the extra tax money they are getting from the Pine Ridge and Pine Hills Villagers who pay taxes to Fruitland Park.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I visited the brand new Lake County library in Fruitland Park today. It was built to replace the old library very close by. The library has a very stark and sterile appearance to it. It has a wrap around porch with a bare concrete finish that already has stress cracks all over it. The interior is mostly a very large room with wood like flooring. The computers are lined up on a long table in the center of the room, side by side. The computer screens are very close together with no privacy screens between them. I really liked the old library better because it had a lot more charactor to it. I can't help but think that they are just trying to spend the extra tax money they are getting from the Pine Ridge and Pine Hills Villagers who pay taxes to Fruitland Park.

I will have to check it out. I liked the old Fruitland Park Library.

[hlsboro]

Who goes to a library these days??? Seems like a waste of time.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by hlsboro

Who goes to a library these days??? Seems like a waste of time.

Lots of people do.

2017 stats for Sumter County.

Sumter County Library System Population served

120,700 734,363 78,224 812,587 2016/2017

https://dos.myflorida.com/media/7008...owers-2017.pdf

Lake County.

Lake County Library System 310,844 857,731 542,538 1,400,269 112,762 4,530 117,292 11.94 $40 Yes

[retiredguy123]

The library is a good place to borrow best sellers if you know how to use the wait list. And, I like to borrow DVDs, even though I have almost every Xfinity channel available. Also, I have noticed that a lot of people use the computers, printers, and copy machines.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by hlsboro

Who goes to a library these days??? Seems like a waste of time.

Stop in sometime.....will make you wonder what they know that you don't.

[eweissenbach]

We like the Villages Library west off 466A

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

We like the Villages Library west off 466A

Like the Pinellas Plaza Library. This seems to be the one you mention.

I buy best sellers at Barnes & Noble or use my own library but do like to get DVDs and Blu-Rays at various libraries in the Villages' area.

If you are doing serious research on a subject, a university or law school or medical school library is very much needed. Check out what steps various non-fiction writers go to get at the facts they need to write their works. It is quite interesting and usually a lot of trips to various libraries are needed.

I just read David McCullough's book on the early white settlement of Ohio and he did extensive research for that. David McCullough’s Idealistic Settlers - The New York Times

[chrisinva]

[Taltarzac725]

Library VS Internet

Why use a library? I have volunteered in two Palm Harbor, FL libraries and worked in libraries in Minneapolis and Denver as well as visited libraries in many US states. I have four degrees so did have to do a lot of research in NV, CO and MN libraries to earn these.

[Velvet]

Visiting a library is like visiting an art gallery. It feels voluptuous and decadent to be surrounded by so many great minds. Great kings and emperors in the past did not have our privilege to such vast access. The internet is great and easy and available but reading on the internet is similar to looking at the Mona Lisa on the internet. It is just not the same experience.

[Love2Swim]

Libraries are only as good as the funding they receive. I remember years ago using the library in Cocoa Beach. It had all of the newest books, multiple copies so there wasn't much of a waiting list.Much better than what there is here.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Love2Swim

Libraries are only as good as the funding they receive. I remember years ago using the library in Cocoa Beach. It had all of the newest books, multiple copies so there wasn't much of a waiting list.Much better than what there is here.

The librarians and their connections to the community also play a big part. From what I have heard of the Fruitland Park Library staff they are on top of things going on in their community.

The central branch of the Washoe County Library in Reno, Nevada is still one of the most beautiful libraries I have visited over the years. I used this library a great deal from 1970 through 1983 when we lived in Reno, Nevada.

Washoe County Library System Washoe County Library added a new photo. - Washoe County Library | Facebook