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Japan's book scene is moving from bookstores to libraries

241 points · 113 comments · herbertl

  1. akman · · focus · HN ↗
    As the author noted, I see libraries becoming more and more centers of community, notably in the Bay Area (California, USA). Just check out the events at all of the Santa Clara County library system (8 libraries that share books): <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;sccl.bibliocommons.com&#x2F;v2&#x2F;events?_gl=1*11u0hec*_ga*MTI0MTAxODk0NS4xNzg2NTEyMjY1*_ga_G99DMMNG39*czE3ODk1OTQ5MTMkbzMkZzAkdDE3ODk1OTQ5MTQkajU5JGwwJGgw*_ga_C5XQHLX1NN*czE3ODk1OTQ5MTMkbzMkZzAkdDE3ODk1OTQ5MTQkajU5JGwwJGgw*_ga_C79ES1D7Q4*czE3ODcyODU5NjUkbzIkZzAkdDE3ODcyODU5NjUkajYwJGwwJGgw" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;sccl.bibliocommons.com&#x2F;v2&#x2F;events?_gl=1*11u0hec*_ga*M...

    Many events aren&#x27;t even book related-- see events for Lego building, homework help, even Dungeons and Dragons events.

    I wonder if there&#x27;s a resurgence across the world where libraries are places of community sharing.

    1. carabiner · · focus · HN ↗
      In Seattle they&#x27;re mostly homeless shelters.
      1. Markoff · · focus · HN ↗
        One Prague branch I frequent is hang out spot for kids to be hooked on free wifi and stare at smartphone, there is no better place to stare at your smartphone than in library full of books! I even complained* why they won&#x27;t set some time limits per connection to make it annoying enough to be useless for kids (but still usable for someone for few minutes to look up some book reviews&#x2F;database), but seems everyone including management is addicted to smartphones.

        It&#x27;s nice that library is welcoming young people, though not sure if encouraging their smartphone addiction is the right way to attract someone.

        *main reason for complaint wasn&#x27;t kids staring at phones and playing games, but shouting swear words during gaming on phone and playing it loudly without earbuds, when I am visiting with small kids who are interested in actual books

        1. trollbridge · · focus · HN ↗
          This must be global since I had a similar experience on the east coast of the USA. It seems reasonable to expect a public library not to functionally be an Internet gamer café.
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