Public library

[Shawnee123]

I don't have internet at home right now. I came to the library to look for books, and stopped at qpb.com for recommendations. Of course I had to stop in the Cellar.

The term "public library" of course consists of two parts: public, and library. The library part is great. The public part, not so much. Amazing how disgusting and rude people are. Some lady was standing right behind me watching her daughter, snorting and snotting and sneezing. Some stupid looking kid with long hair and a 'tude was next to staring at the screen with a vacant look like it was supposed to do something else. Another guy dropped his son off, asking the 'brarian why you needed a card to use the computer but not to check out books. Huh? You need a (FREE) card for both, buster. Son plopped down anyway.

I can't wait to get out of this financial hole and get hooked back up at home. Then again, I hate Time-Warner, so I'm not sure what my best online alternatives are. Any suggestions from those in the know?

Thanks for the rant time! (If you listen closely, in the background you can hear "Moooommmmmm, can't I just have 10 more minutes?)

[Trilby]

I, too, know the woe of having to use the public library for internet use. The people in my local library were...odd, to say the least. One guy who stunk and had no teeth was cruising singles sites looking to hook up. Yikes.

[Stormieweather]

Is DSL through your phone company an option? I hate my cable company also, and refuse to give them my business. The phone company's DSL service is only as good as their phone service in the area however. If your phones are always going out, you'll lose internet a lot, but if service is consistant, internet should be fine.

Stormie

[Shawnee123]

I think DSL is an option. Funny, Time-Warner came knocking on my door Saturday morning wanting to let me know of their great services. I just told him I wasn't interested, but should have taken the opportunity to tell him that if they had any customer skills in the first place I would still be a customer. I had HBO, Showtime, Road Runner, for 3 years on my own, not to mention the years as a customer with my ex, and the years before that. I tried to get clarification on one bill in dispute and was treated like they didn't really care if I was a customer or not. So, hey, no moola from me.

Thanks, I will look into DSL options. I think our phone service is good.

[Pangloss62]

I don't have internet at home right now.

My old home computer is so slow that I too use my various branches of the County (Dekalb, GA) Public Library for the internets. The one I use most is the audio/visual branch which has lots of DVDs, videos, and CDs. They have an amazing selection, even better than Blockbuster. Anyway, when I'm there, I'm usually the ONLY White person, which is not a bad thing as it goes, but most of the internet users are kids and teenagers listening to and watching really loud Rap videos; it's not the kind of library where you would want to study. And their cell phones keep going off with these REALLY LOUD Rap music ring tones. Holy Christ! And yes, there is always the lonely man and/or woman looking for internet mates, or the young male watching lurid pornography. It's all kind of pathetic, really. I mean, a public library is a kind of sacred space for me. It represents a worthy public good. In the case of this library, however, I wonder.

[Sundae]

The only downside to my local library is its size. It's a branch library so choice is limited and there are only 10 PCs. That is outweighed by the fact it is literally round the corner from my flat - wonderful to have so many free books so close.

The librarians are good at getting adults/ teenagers to keep the noise down, but I think they have been told to Encourage Children to Read. I don't mind Story Time, as I'll listen along regardless of what I'm doing. But I do mind middle class mothers browsing the aga-sagas while Noah, Freya and Matilda run riot in the Children's Section or trail after her saying the same thing over and over and over at the top of their voices to get her attention.

It's a LIBRARY. Show some respect.

Noise pollution, gets me every time.

[mitheral]

Our libraries are actually pretty good. I've never used the computers but they're in an open area and I've never seen any wildness. My local branch is only medium sized but our electronic catalogue allows us to get stuff in a couple days from any of the branches.

This has worked for me when I have to use the net at the library. Instead of the public library, I go to the nearest academic library. Many if not most academic libraries will let you in if you tell them you need to do research - of course you do - you're researching the net. Then you go up to the reference desk and explain to the kindly librarian that you desperately are seeking info from the computer. Most college libraries have a few terminals set aside for the general public. The library I used to go to never had that much demand from the general public, so I could stay on line for hours, the kids generally didn't smell or mumble aloud to themselves about the coming Apocalypse, and the staff maintained a nice quiet atmosphere. Its worth a shot if you're anywhere near a college or university.

[Shawnee123]

Actually, I work at a college. I just happened to be at the Public Library so it was easier than it was to drive across town and use my key card and go into my office (college building closed at that time.)