Nation's first "bookless" library on San Antonio's South Side (Austin: rental, tax)

[Komeht]

By contrast, Austin is building a 100M dollars on a Lake Flato designed lending library on perhaps the best lot in downtown Austin fronting town lake in the era of the ebook.

San Anotnio you should be congratulated.

[rynetwo]

Originally Posted by SATX56

Either way, I think it's a waste of $$ as are many things I could name.

Time will tell if it's a waste of money but they need to put up block on certain kind of sites.

(disclaimer Im not saying because it on the Southside everyone's going to be looking up adult sites)

[Hedgehog_Mom]

[quote=rynetwo;27916948]Time will tell if it's a waste of money but they need to put up block on certain kind of sites.

[Mod cut]
I'm sure the computers at the San Antonio libraries have a similar block.

[Mod cut: why are we bringing porn to the topic?]

[Merovee]

Originally Posted by rynetwo

Why not downtown? And yes BN the stupidest idea ever for the location and idea.

Good question.

If you are aware the county and city are both encouraging growth in the far South side. Toyota and A&M are part of that. As can be expected so are new residents. These new residents especially if they live outside the city limits and in the county alone lack access to libraries.

This is about the county thinking about a county solution for a county issue more than anything else.

Originally Posted by elnina

While it's a great idea to set up a multi-computer stations for those who do not own any or have no access to it, I would not call it a library,
except all they will offer is just books online ( no regular Internet surfing, jobs sites etc.)
But then, who would really want to go there to ... just read books???

They will have many digital book titles which can be borrowed via their portable devices which I imagine will also be on loan. San Antonio Public Library system already loans out laptops so this won't be shockingly new.

Also keep in mind many libraries are simply struggling as is the book industry in general. Most library systems also offer internet service and have digital medium titles as well. You can get free mp3s and other goodies if you have a SAPL card.

Originally Posted by Bo

BTW, the assertion in the thread title is wrong. This will be the nation's only bookless public library system.

UTSA and a few other higher education institutions around the country have bookless libraries on their campuses, as part of a larger system of campus libraries that use books.

Tucson, Arizona opened a bookless public library branch in 2002, but eventually abandoned the notion and added books. Newport Beach, California announced plans to convert its library system to a bookless one, but public sentiment against the idea prevented them from following through with the idea.

Bexar set to turn the page on idea of books in libraries - San Antonio Express-News

To be clear, this is a project of Bexar County, setting up a separate library system from the SA Public Library system. It's a Nelson Wolff initiative.

Thank you for posting since I was going to. Indeed, the title is not exactly accurate.

BTW, Kevin or Nelson?

Originally Posted by Komeht

By contrast, Austin is building a 100M dollars on a Lake Flato designed lending library on perhaps the best lot in downtown Austin fronting town lake in the era of the ebook.

San Anotnio you should be congratulated.

Well "San Antonio" is OK with this since Lake Flato is one of our local firms. Nice doing business with you.

Also your comparison is rather elementary. What would be the inference? I am sure something equally sophisticated?

Just know this is a Bexar County initiative as well so your SA to Austin comparison should be tweaked accordingly.

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

I'm sure the computers at the San Antonio libraries have a similar block.

(And I'm sure the people on the North side look at just as much porn as the people on the South side, probably more since having internet service at home is more common)

Unsure but I think I read somewhere that porn cannot be blocked at libraries since it is a constitutional right or some other right.

[Montirob]

Originally Posted by Bo

BTW, the assertion in the thread title is wrong. This will be the nation's only bookless public library system.

UTSA and a few other higher education institutions around the country have bookless libraries on their campuses, as part of a larger system of campus libraries that use books.

Tucson, Arizona opened a bookless public library branch in 2002, but eventually abandoned the notion and added books. Newport Beach, California announced plans to convert its library system to a bookless one, but public sentiment against the idea prevented them from following through with the idea.

Bexar set to turn the page on idea of books in libraries - San Antonio Express-News

To be clear, this is a project of Bexar County, setting up a separate library system from the SA Public Library system. It's a Nelson Wolff initiative.

The question I have is HOW it will work. As you have noted, many other cities (including the Northeast) have tried the idea and later added "real" books. From what I understand, the large publishers don't always allow their e-books to be sold to libraries. My family has lost a couple of library books over the years (darn kids ), so I would really be hesitant to let my kids take a loaned e-reader out of the house.

Now, while I do a lot of technical reading online, there is something to just browsing and turning the pages of a real, bound book. The paper choice, the way illustrations are printed, even the heft just add to the pleasure of reading. I find that it is just a good way to "detox" from our modern, connected life.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Originally Posted by Merovee

Unsure but I think I read somewhere that porn cannot be blocked at libraries since it is a constitutional right or some other right.

You're right, I looked it up and our libraries don't block porn.

[BenjaminNicholas]

Originally Posted by Komeht

By contrast, Austin is building a 100M dollars on a Lake Flato designed lending library on perhaps the best lot in downtown Austin fronting town lake in the era of the ebook.

San Anotnio you should be congratulated.

Congratulated? This was sarcasm, I hope.

I honestly don't think this is not the dawning of a new era in publishing: Printed books will always be around, in original form and traditional libraries are still quite important for a community. I might be smack-dab in the middle of the age group that subscribes to every gadget and gizmo known to man, but I would rather spend my morning reading a Wall St Journal, getting my fingers smudged with ink and hearing the crisp sound of pages turning. The same goes for filling my shelves with the stories I've read over the years. A bookshelf can say more about someone than a 30 minute interview.

Austin has it right on this. Traditional libraries will never go out of style, no matter how much Amazon or iTunes tells us otherwise. Good on them.

Yeah, I might be embracing the past on this one, but someone's got to




BN

[Montirob]

The County's RFQ sheds a bit more light on the "how":

The renovation of the building included an area that is currently vacant, and has been “shelled”, awaiting
finish-out. A project to occupy the 4894 square feet of shelled space has been studied and deemed
feasible and needed. It consists of a “library-like” facility, with its resources being entirely electronic. A
cyber resource center, it is proposed to include computers and Wi-Fi with access to an e-library of
materials, and services that support the work of students and County citizens.
The design of the interior finish of the space located at 3505 Pleasanton Road is required to be done by an
Architectural team that includes an Architect, and engineering sub-consultants for mechanical, plumbing
and electrical systems, as well as the e-systems to support services that will be offered to the public.
The concept includes an open-area with spaces defined by installations and furnishings that allow private
study, semi-private study and public training areas. Additionally a service desk, coffee bar, public
restrooms and connection to the community meeting room will be supported by a separate main entrance
that will allow Biblio-Tech to operate beyond the standard hours that other County offices operate.
Using county provided equipment, such as small Ipads, the facility allows student and residents access to
unlimited resources provided by the web. Installed computer terminals will allow residents to read,
research and explore any topic desired. Users will be able to access websites, read novels and research
topics of interest. Staff will assist students and provide assistance as needed.

[BenjaminNicholas]

Originally Posted by Montirob

The County's RFQ sheds a bit more light on the "how":

[SIZE=3][SIZE=3]

The renovation of the building included an area that is currently vacant, and has been “shelled”, awaiting
finish-out. A project to occupy the 4894 square feet of shelled space has been studied and deemed
feasible and needed. It consists of a “library-like” facility, with its resources being entirely electronic. A
cyber resource center, it is proposed to include computers and Wi-Fi with access to an e-library of
materials, and services that support the work of students and County citizens.
The design of the interior finish of the space located at 3505 Pleasanton Road is required to be done by an
Architectural team that includes an Architect, and engineering sub-consultants for mechanical, plumbing
and electrical systems, as well as the e-systems to support services that will be offered to the public.
The concept includes an open-area with spaces defined by installations and furnishings that allow private
study, semi-private study and public training areas. Additionally a service desk, coffee bar, public
restrooms and connection to the community meeting room will be supported by a separate main entrance
that will allow Biblio-Tech to operate beyond the standard hours that other County offices operate.
Using county provided equipment, such as small Ipads, the facility allows student and residents access to
unlimited resources provided by the web. Installed computer terminals will allow residents to read,
research and explore any topic desired. Users will be able to access websites, read novels and research

topics of interest. Staff will assist students and provide assistance as needed.
[/SIZE][/SIZE]

Interesting. It's a cyber-cafe.

I feel better knowing it's not being sold as a solid library alternative.




BN

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by Merovee

Digital medium is the future, not because I want it to be, I prefer paper and always will.

Just look at hard copy vs digital copy (to be used on Kindle and other devices) book sales.

As for your final question, no, it should not matter, you are right. But my point still stands, your comparison was ill composed.

You are both oddly hostile and incorrectly reading my post.