Post by Ish Kabbible on Apr 7, 2017 21:14:46 GMT -5
About the NYC Library System:
Actually, there are 3 separate systems. One for Manhattan/Bronx and Staten Island. One For Brooklyn. One for Queens. Residents of the city can join any or all three for free. Each have their own set of terms and circulating material must be returned to it's proper system. I'm a member of both Queens and Manhattan so those are the ones I'll detail
The Manhattan system has 72 branches. Queens has 50. I think Brooklyn also has 50. Each system has a Central branch which is usually humongous and on multi levels. The midtown Manhattan one for instance has 7 floors.Other branches range from small to large. They all have different personalities. Since NYC is a multicultural place with each neighborhood having a distinct ethnic flavor, you'll find one branch has a Chinese section, another a Spanish language section, another with a large Afro-American section etc.
There are also some Specialty Branches. I've mentioned elsewhere about the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts which I go to weekly.There's another library dealing strictly with Business and Technology. The famous Library (Stephan A. Schwarzman ) with the 2 stone lions at the entrance way is a non-circulating library that archives for research a massive amount of material
Do they carry all media besides books-Comic Tradebooks, DVDs, CDs, Audiobooks, Games etc
Most branches have all, a few might not have CDs or Video Games.
How many libraries are in your system-Do they do inter-library transfers for you?
Yes, you can request inter-library merchandise delivered to your home branch. There's even a service for books where they will search other cities' inventory and have it delivered
Does your library have a website? Does it offer streaming videos and music as well as downloads?
Yes, you can use the website for requests, renewals, information on items and E-book downloads. They both have a service for movie and music streaming. The Queens branch has something called Freegal which also lets you download 5 songs a week to keep
How long do they let you keep out the items you take home?
Books for both branches are 3 weeks. CDs are 3 weeks Manhattan, 1 week Queens. DVDs are 1 week Manhattan 3 days Quuens. You can always renew as long as no one else requested it. Both branches allow you to take out 50 total items at any one time. There is a 10 item limit on DVDs.
Do they have computers for you to use? How long do they let you avail yourself to them on a given day
All branches have free computers and Wifi. Manhattan has a 45 minute limit but it can be extended if no one is waiting. Queens is one hour. Printing from the PC is free up to 20 pages a day
Do they show movies for free?
Half the branches seem to have a regular day for free movies. The Central Branches have several days. They can be both recent DVD releases as well as classic films. You don't even need a library card to attend
Do they have other programs like instructional classes and seminars, music shows, experts on particular subjects giving lectures?
Oh yeah, there is a ton of events. Computer classes, job-search help, English language training, Social Service advice, Citizenship seminars,Activities and tutoring for children. Plenty of local music shows, poetry reading, book clubs etc. There are things like Chess and Backgammon clubs. There was even a Comic Book event last month at one of the branches were a few comic shop owners held a question and answer session. The Central Branch even has a video-casting service for friends and family to communicate with incarcerated loved ones.
What kind of late fees do they charge?
it's pretty cheap, maybe 25 cents a day. Except DVDs-that can cost you plenty, $3 a day. Seniors get half price fees.
What do you think of the extent of their selections?
If you take into account the Central libraries and request transfers, NYC has a stunning amount of material. And lots of it is high priced as well. I've seen huge DC and Marvel hardcover Omnibuses and other items at the $60-$100 range available for borrowing. They have almost all the Criterion DVDs that retail for $40 and up. I've picked up Box Set CDs. Just make sure you don't lose this stuff
How do you rate your library system from 1 (terrible) to 10 (fantastic)
I easily give it a 10 and can't imagine a city with a better system. But yes, librarians can be rude at times or condescending.
How many days are they open? Do they have late hours?
All are open 6 days. A few are open on Sunday. Generally they are open 10AM to 6PM. One or 2 days they open from Noon to 8PM. The Central libraries are open 12-15 hours on weekdays
How often do you go and what do you use of their services?
I go to the Manhattan branch once a week and the Queens branch once or twice a week
Actually, there are 3 separate systems. One for Manhattan/Bronx and Staten Island. One For Brooklyn. One for Queens. Residents of the city can join any or all three for free. Each have their own set of terms and circulating material must be returned to it's proper system. I'm a member of both Queens and Manhattan so those are the ones I'll detail
The Manhattan system has 72 branches. Queens has 50. I think Brooklyn also has 50. Each system has a Central branch which is usually humongous and on multi levels. The midtown Manhattan one for instance has 7 floors.Other branches range from small to large. They all have different personalities. Since NYC is a multicultural place with each neighborhood having a distinct ethnic flavor, you'll find one branch has a Chinese section, another a Spanish language section, another with a large Afro-American section etc.
There are also some Specialty Branches. I've mentioned elsewhere about the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts which I go to weekly.There's another library dealing strictly with Business and Technology. The famous Library (Stephan A. Schwarzman ) with the 2 stone lions at the entrance way is a non-circulating library that archives for research a massive amount of material
Do they carry all media besides books-Comic Tradebooks, DVDs, CDs, Audiobooks, Games etc
Most branches have all, a few might not have CDs or Video Games.
How many libraries are in your system-Do they do inter-library transfers for you?
Yes, you can request inter-library merchandise delivered to your home branch. There's even a service for books where they will search other cities' inventory and have it delivered
Does your library have a website? Does it offer streaming videos and music as well as downloads?
Yes, you can use the website for requests, renewals, information on items and E-book downloads. They both have a service for movie and music streaming. The Queens branch has something called Freegal which also lets you download 5 songs a week to keep
How long do they let you keep out the items you take home?
Books for both branches are 3 weeks. CDs are 3 weeks Manhattan, 1 week Queens. DVDs are 1 week Manhattan 3 days Quuens. You can always renew as long as no one else requested it. Both branches allow you to take out 50 total items at any one time. There is a 10 item limit on DVDs.
Do they have computers for you to use? How long do they let you avail yourself to them on a given day
All branches have free computers and Wifi. Manhattan has a 45 minute limit but it can be extended if no one is waiting. Queens is one hour. Printing from the PC is free up to 20 pages a day
Do they show movies for free?
Half the branches seem to have a regular day for free movies. The Central Branches have several days. They can be both recent DVD releases as well as classic films. You don't even need a library card to attend
Do they have other programs like instructional classes and seminars, music shows, experts on particular subjects giving lectures?
Oh yeah, there is a ton of events. Computer classes, job-search help, English language training, Social Service advice, Citizenship seminars,Activities and tutoring for children. Plenty of local music shows, poetry reading, book clubs etc. There are things like Chess and Backgammon clubs. There was even a Comic Book event last month at one of the branches were a few comic shop owners held a question and answer session. The Central Branch even has a video-casting service for friends and family to communicate with incarcerated loved ones.
What kind of late fees do they charge?
it's pretty cheap, maybe 25 cents a day. Except DVDs-that can cost you plenty, $3 a day. Seniors get half price fees.
What do you think of the extent of their selections?
If you take into account the Central libraries and request transfers, NYC has a stunning amount of material. And lots of it is high priced as well. I've seen huge DC and Marvel hardcover Omnibuses and other items at the $60-$100 range available for borrowing. They have almost all the Criterion DVDs that retail for $40 and up. I've picked up Box Set CDs. Just make sure you don't lose this stuff
How do you rate your library system from 1 (terrible) to 10 (fantastic)
I easily give it a 10 and can't imagine a city with a better system. But yes, librarians can be rude at times or condescending.
How many days are they open? Do they have late hours?
All are open 6 days. A few are open on Sunday. Generally they are open 10AM to 6PM. One or 2 days they open from Noon to 8PM. The Central libraries are open 12-15 hours on weekdays
How often do you go and what do you use of their services?
I go to the Manhattan branch once a week and the Queens branch once or twice a week
... there is a shelf worth of 'adult' comics (Mostly Vertigo and non-fiction stuff like Alison Bechdel, but a good smattering of semi-current DC and a small bit of Marvel)... a shelf and a half of manga in the 'teen' section, and more kid oriented stuff in the kids room. 
