Why doesn't anyone seem to use the library anymore?

It is definately not an apparent demise. I was amongst the last generation of students to attend university before the internet came into prominence. Back in 1988-1992 I have fond memories of using the latest and greatest computer indexed library catalogue and wondering what we ever did without it. As we could all remember using the physical library index cards which would point you to an aisle and then you just had to hope it was there.

The internet is just a more efficient way of doing that without the risk of wasting your time.

I will assure you that in years to come, even the internet will be challenged by a new type of technology. Imagine a full immersion world like the one portrayed in ' The Lawnmower man'. Granted it would probably still be called the internet but what would happen if you could transplant the knowledge you want directly into your brain. Imagine if we could know everything for any given topic without even studying or going to any effort to acquire the knowledge. Imagine if we could all b programmed with knowledge like a computer.

Enjoy the internet for what it is and remember one day your childrens childrens children may look at you and wonder how you ever learnt anything when you had to read it from the internet. But then again, they will already know this.

With todays busy, microwavable world, everyone wants the fastest ansers with the least amount of effort. No want really perceives time for what it is, other than there is never enough of it. Educations doesn't seem to mean what it used to. Also most children in todays world do not realize, know or understand what will happen when they try to get a job once they are older. I used to use the library when ever I needed help with my homework. Now that I am no longer in school...I go there anytime I have a new subject I want to know more on, especially when I get a new pet.

Its still fun to challenge yourself to learn something new everynow and then. However as a counter point, I know what it is like for many people. I live in a small town with a very small library, so finding information is not always easy. We have 2 book on training dogs. So sometimes a person has nowhere else to go but the internet to find the information needed. You never know though, sometimes those acting as a parent could be a child with an idea that a parent would be more likey to get an answer. Good day.

I'm a librarian--and, yes!! This is not all bad, because libraries have become meeting places where people can get together, work on projects, etc. BUT, there should always be quiet study spaces. I assume you're at a college, and I am surprised that they don't have quiet areas where you can study in peace. You should feel free to speak to a librarian to request that she/he ask any particularly noisy patrons to keep it down. I'm currently in a high school library where the administrators constantly "dump" kids who have no classes, who were late to class, just about anyone, in the library. This is not what we are there for, and it is becoming impossible for us to maintain some sort of academic atmosphere. I don't want the place to be a morgue, but I also don't want it to look (and sound) like a bus depot. I think a lot of this comes from the general relaxation of rules and a more casual society. In a place like a library, this can be a problem. Libraries should be vibrant gathering places where people can get the information they need in whatever format they need it, but there still need to be quiet areas reserved for more academic pursuits. Again, I suggest you speak to a librarian if you're having problems. It is their job to ensure that all patrons receive the best service possible.

I totally agree with you about the kids with homework help. We are not here to spit out answers so they don't have to do the work. I think sometimes the point of homework is to encourage a child (or teenager) to learn valuable research skills. While I am more than happy than give my two cents (I've VERY opinionated), I really dislike seeing questions like that. Additionally, a lot of questions can be answered with a simple Google or Yahoo! search, so I guess this would be the height of laziness.

But about your library comment...I have to say that I don't use the library for research since (as another poster mentioned), it's faster and easier to do it online. But the library is a wonderful institution. I go there on Saturdays, sit in a cushy leather armchair and flip through magazines (that would have cost me $5 each), and re-read some of the best books on earth, all at my leisure. I love taking out DVDs or trying new CDs for free, and I love that I still see kids there with their parents (reminds me of when I was young).

As to parents doing their kids' homework...quelle horreur! And yet, I have seen this in people close to me. It is at the point where we ask the parents how THEY did on the assignment, essay, etc. You have to wonder what the point of sending their child to school is.

The internet makes it easier to find answers without actually having to open a book. Want to know about botany? Heck with going through a book, google or yahoo it! Same with anything else. Internet searches have replaced research, sometime for the better, sometimes for the worse.

Sad part is, give a kid an encyclopedia these days and they'd have no clue what to do with it.

i love the library! if i had the time i would probably be ther 24/7 but im an ice skater a ballerina a harpist a gynmist and a student. an 8th grade student who is doing algebra 2 so its impossible for me to go to the library anymore

Yes, sad to tell you the obvious but there is a decline! My first love has always been books, but even a book-worm like me hasn't stepped into a library in ages! Serious shortage of time I'm afraid. I last visited to get research material on my English Literature papers!

I used to use the library cos I could sit,n maybe make notes of some stuff from the reference section, but I moved and the Library here doesn't seem that good.

I don't know the answer. Maybe they don't want to rely on it, incase it shuts down. I have a library card, and am going to attempt to get back, to using it. But I would rather own books, when possible.

Laziness,and people just copy and paste book reports from the internet.

I on the other hand love the library and books.