Welcome Wednesday: Do you use your local public library? 📚

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

Hello everyone and happy hump day! If you’re new here, Welcome Wednesday is a great and easy way to start conversations with fellow Atlassian enthusiasts (without necessarily getting into technical jargon). For past Welcome Wednesday topics, see here.

In today’s discussion, I’d love to know if you are a patron of your local library. Do you go to library events? Rent their physical and/or digital catalog? What’s the coolest thing your library offers?

If you couldn’t already tell, I’m a BIG library fan and since I live in Los Angeles, we have access to one of the best library systems in the state (if not the country… #bragging). Shout out to LAPL! One of my favorite things to do is take the LA Central Library Art & Architecture Tour. It’s completely free and held every day, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting LA! I just took my parents there a couple weeks ago, and I left with some fun souvenirs (including a new library card featuring the centennial design!) and a whole lot of new knowledge about the central library and southern California history.

Some other cool, free things my library offers:

• LA Zoo tickets

• Regional park passes

• Adult literacy classes

• Builders' lab with several 3D printers

• Podcast recording studio

• One of the largest map collections of any US public library

Now’s YOUR turn: tell me about your experience with your local library!

[Alex Nejako]

Yes the libraries in Indianapolis are very good. The two branches closest to me are College Avenue and Michigan Road. They have a lot of modern books about IT and even AI!

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

@Alex Nejako Nice! Any books that you would recommend?

[Anne Saunders]

I LOVED the Indy downtown library when I was a kid - the periodicals room made me feel like a time traveler. We were in Warren Township, which had a lovely storytime area, but not a patch on the main branch!

[Alex Nejako]

Go to the first non fiction section in any of the branches. You will probably find a great book about AI both from a technical and philosophical standpoint. The Indianapolis libraries also have very good books about Agile, as well as the major creative platforms like Adobe. There are also very good technical manuals and guidebooks on Windows Server (multiple versions). The Central branch is a little harder to get into, but they have great books - the best selection in the area.

[Anne Saunders]

I moved away a long time ago, but you brought back a fond memory :)

[Arkadiusz Wroblewski]

I still use my local public library mainly to borrow physical books. Even with so much available digitally, I enjoy walking through the shelves and discovering something that I probably would not have searched for online.

For me, libraries also have a special atmosphere they are calm, welcoming places where everyone can access knowledge without needing to buy anything. I have not explored many of the additional services offered by my library yet, but your @Katie Lai - Seibert  examples make me curious about what else might be available locally. 😊🤠😁

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

@Arkadiusz Wroblewski The peaceful feeling of walking through the stacks is also one of my favorite parts about the library! Let us know if you find something awesome at your library :D

[Anne Saunders]

@Arkadiusz Wroblewski  You made me think of one of my favorite Terry Pratchett quotes: 

Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass, and on that simple equation rests the whole of L-space.  It is via L-space that all books are connected (quoting the ones before them, and influencing the ones that come after).  But there is no time in L-space.  Nor is there, strictly speaking, any space.  Nevertheless, L-space is infinitely large and connects all libraries, everywhere and everywhen.  It’s never further than the other side of the bookshelf, yet only the most senior and respected librarians know the way in. 

[Dave LIAO]

@Anne Saunders - aw, Terry Pratchett! 🙏

[Arkadiusz Wroblewski]

@Anne Saunders Wow, thanks for reminding this Quotes.

[Amanda Barber]

LOVE our Milwaukee County Federated Library System...and especially the Libby app for all of my ebook needs!

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

Libby for ebooks and Hoopla for audiobooks are my go-to!

[Dave LIAO]

Love Libby, I need to dust off my tagged books... I think I have way too many books on hold right now 🥲

[Anne Saunders]

I use the daylights out of Libby through the OKC MLS! 

The coolest upcoming library thing is this Saturday, my eldest and I are going to participate in a joint project by the library system and the Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission to remove racist language from Oklahoma City land plats. (The language hasn't had any force or effect for years, but many neighborhood land plats still have it, and it's gross.)

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

Yes! Love to hear it!!! Supporting y'all from afar.

[Dave LIAO]

@Anne Saunders - THANK YOU for that!

[Liz Tanner]

Norman succeeded in 2017 and y'all made it happen in OKC. Thank you @Anne Saunders and your kiddo for volunteering time this weekend at Ron Norick's Library and supporting the Plat Amendment Project. Thank you for being part of the change to make a safer, inclusive, and better OKC community. ☺️

[Kristin Lyons]

I use my public library VERY regularly and the librarians know me very well there :) I usually have at least 5 library books borrowed at a time (I also have two kids who love reading)

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

This makes me so happy. <3

[Dave LIAO]

@Kristin Lyons - I used to live with a roommate who'd use my library card so she could borrow more than the limit for a single person. 🤣

The amazing part was that she'd actually read all the books she borrowed. 🤯

[Hempel]

While I don't often go physically to my local library, I'm a HUGE fan of Libby to check out audio books and e-reader books to read on my Kindle Paperwhite. Currently listening to "The Perfect Match."

I also have 6 year old twins and they are exploring their love for books - so I'm sure I'll be back in a physical library soon!!

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

Yes! I love getting ebooks for my Kindle too! And audiobooks for making chores less boring xD

[Dave LIAO]

@ Hempel - any audiobook recommendations? Always looking for things to listen to!

[Hempel]

Some of my favorites -

• Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey because he reads it!!!
• Coming Home by Britney Griner
• The Perfect Marriage and The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose
• Anything by Frieda McFadden (if you like psychological thrillers)
• The Guest List (or anything by her) by Lucy Foley

[Dave LIAO]

Sweeeeeet, thank you!

[James Grahl]

Our local library is amazing, we've gone to a number of events there, it's become a kind-of "third place" for my family to go whenever we're not home or at work/school, and we have a great relationship with the staff.  We're also super lucky that in New Jersey, particularly in the North where I'm from, most of the libraries are all interlinked (Bergen County Cooperative Learning System).  This is great because if you need any sort of media, you can just request it from the web or the app, and if it's in the system it'll be delivered to your local library for you to check out.  My wife and I have done this with countless books, and my son and I have checked out many video games to both enjoy and eventually decide if we wanted to own them ourselves.  Can't forget about Libby for audio/ebooks too, listened to many a book from there (Next up, "A Parade of Horribles")

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

10/10!!! Similarly, I learned if you're a resident of California you can get a library card for LAPL and they will send you materials!

[Dave LIAO]

@James Grahl - LOVE Libby! I've got a few unread books on Kindle left to read, then fully moving over to Libby.

[Barbara Szczesniak]

From ages 12 -15, I used to walk about 3 miles to the library in our town a few times a week in the summer months. I would get 2 or 3 books, read them, and then go back for more. This was when I discovered science fiction, though I can't remember which I read first: Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy (which later got a 4th book, I think) or Frank Herbert's Dune trilogy (which I know ended up with more books). 

[Anne Saunders]

It was a summer program at the library that got me into Frank Herbert, too! I devoured the Pandora Sequence one summer when I was maybe 14. 

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

Nothing better than reading a good book outside in the summer weather!

[Dave LIAO]

@Barbara Szczesniak - I used to walk from my childhood home to our local library!

For fun, I mapped it out online, and was surprised to see one way was 30 minutes, 1.3 mi / 2 km.

"30 minutes" doesn't seem accurate. I'm pretty sure we covered the distance in 15-20 minutes... 🙃

[Barbara Szczesniak]

You got me curious, @Dave LIAO, so I looked this up for my old library. The first thing I found out was that they moved the library to a different location than when I was a kid, but I could still find the old address, since it was half the town hall and half the library.

Anyway, one way is 1 hour 13 minutes, 3.3 miles. I also do not remember it taking that long, but I was in much better shape at that age. 🚶🏻‍♀️‍➡️ 

[Brita Moorus]

I used to visit my local library almost every week, but sadly it has been years since my last visit. I still prefer physical books although I make so many notes and highlights in them that borrowing is not always practical 😄

I also usually read several books at the same time, and sometimes it takes me up to six months to finish one 🙈

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

This is your sign to go back to the library!! :D

[Dave LIAO]

🪧👀

[nancy_sidhu_allianz_com_au]

I am a member of my local libraries and frequent them when researching my work. Also attend events when scheduled. I have frequented libraries in Washington DC, Baltimore and Manhattan.

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

Love to hear it!!

[Dave LIAO]

@nancy_sidhu_allianz_com_au - thanks for mentioning Washington DC! You reminded me that I've been meaning to visit the MLK Jr. library there... which apparently has a slide. 🛝

[Dave LIAO]

@Katie Lai - Seibert - thanks for posting, Katie!

I LOVE libraries, and have always had a library membership since I was little. 📚

When I lived in New York City, I was able to register for the Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn library systems for free - so I had three times the luck when looking for books to borrow. 🙃

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

I've heard the NYC library is really beautiful! I like to visit libraries when I travel - next on my list is the Boston Public Library when I'm there in August!!

[Dave LIAO]

Thinking of the reading room near Bryant Park made me look up Ghostbusters, and found this gem from Improv Anywhere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKB7zfopiUA

[Andrew Zimmerman]

I love the library! My county library system also extends free Udemy access to anyone with a library card, so the access to knowledge extends far beyond just the books on the shelves.

Going to the library just makes me want to get stuff done.

[Dave LIAO]

Whoa, free learning resources?

I'll have to check my library memberships to see if any offer any. 🤔

[Amanda Barber]

Also free language learning through Mango! I haven't tried it, but there's always cool things at the library, haha.

[Anirudha Umale]

I do! 📚 My local library is one of my favorite places to spend a quiet afternoon. I love borrowing both physical books and e-books, and it's always nice discovering titles I wouldn't have picked up otherwise. I also think libraries are such an underrated community resource—they offer so much more than just books.

The LA Central Library Art & Architecture Tour sounds amazing! I'll definitely keep it in mind if I ever visit Los Angeles. And that centennial library card sounds like a fun souvenir. 😊

[Dave LIAO]

Agreed, libraries tend to be underrated. Does your local library offer any swag or merchandise? Promote them! 🙃

I'm checking my local system to see if they've got t-shirts...

[Stephen_Lugton]

When my daughter was very young we took her to the local library for baby / toddler 'Song, rhyme and story time'.  We're still in touch with families that we met then.

Unfortunately now she's 10 there aren't so many library offered sessions for her age so we don't go as much as we used to.

But, since she's an avid reader we have a collection of library books that I renew every 3 weeks, and every so often I take them back and she selects some more.

On the other hand I spend a lot of time on trains so I have a Kindle which fits into a pocket or bag much easier than a physical book.

[Katie Lai - Seibert]

It is so heartwarming to hear that you were able to find your community there! 

[Dave LIAO]

@Stephen_Lugton - I used to have a 40-ish minute ride on the train, I'd read on my smartphone! 🥲

[Barbara Szczesniak]

My life has also changed since I got a Kindle. Sometimes I miss physical books, but, as my eyes have gotten older, I like being able to change the font size at different times of the day. I have Kindle Unlimited, so I can get a variety of books, while still supporting the authors.

Before the Kindle days, I purchased a lot of books. When I would do contracts for months in different places, though, I couldn't bring a bunch of books with me. I would find the local library and go there often to pick up books. I remember the one in Columbia, South Carolina because they had Maurice Sendak artwork in the children's room; there is a nice picture in this article: https://www.onecolumbiasc.com/public-art/directory/where-the-wild-things-are/ 

[Amanda Barber]

Wow, I absolutely love the artwork in that children's room! Our downtown branch of the library has a very lovely children's space, too. https://www.facebook.com/MKEwithKids/videos/milwaukees-central-library-is-one-of-the-most-beautiful-places-in-the-city-%EF%B8%8Finsi/918965237666080/

I wish they were all so beautiful!

[Barbara Szczesniak]

Looks like a great place to take the kids to get out of the house when the weather is bad.

[Dave LIAO]

@Barbara Szczesniak - agreed! +1 to being able to change font sizes on devices! 👓

[zoltanersek _outpostlabs_dev_]

That's such a great system. It's not so elaborate where I live, you just go and get a book, that's all. Great tip with the free tour, I'll check it out next time I'm in LA

[Matt Doar _Adaptavist_]

Yes. Safe places to learn interesting things since childhood. Then a few times per week with the children when we still read to them. Now a couple of times a week as a volunteer. Last Saturday we did stop action movies with Lego pieces for 4 to 10 year olds!

(https://www.sjpl.org/blogs/post/meet-our-2025-volunteers-of-the-year/#willow cough, cough)

I also had my first support session with a senior getting into the use of AI for repairing classic cars. 

[Dave LIAO]

@Matt Doar _Adaptavist_ - love that you volunteer at the library! (As if there weren't enough reasons to want to hang out with you!)