When I was young, like Nancy Pearl, I went to the library for a calm from the storm of my own home. I found great solace in reading. When Nancy Pearl came to visit a few weeks ago and talked to a crowded room at Boise Public Library, I was reminded of all the reasons I loved libraries to begin with. 

As much as I embrace new tools, and new technologies, I really love public libraries for being able to read and to find things I would not normally read. I love getting suggestions from other librarians and reading what they are. I’ve found, though, that not every librarian likes reading. 

It’s possible that in the future that libraries will no longer provide content. Indeed, I cannot predict what libraries will be in the future. We mean so many things to so many people. So I ask you, what do you use the library for? Which library? 

Do you use different libraries for different purposes? What are they? 

I use Boise Public for entertainment purposes and I use the historical Idaho Statesman for research. I use the Research Center @ Idaho State Archives for research on Idaho History. I use Boise State’s robust databases for my work and research. I cart my son off to the Collister Library for books and games and events. 

In the past I’ve used other libraries, too, for different reasons, but this is where I am now.

Your turn. How do you use a library?