The Omaha Public Library serves the city of Omaha, Nebraska with twelve branches and a circulation of 1,477,593 items.  

All residents of Douglas County may obtain a library card with identification and proof of address.  The library maintains a reciprocal borrowing program with Lincoln City and Council Bluffs public libraries.  Applicants may apply for cards in either English or Spanish.  Non-residents may purchase library membership at rates of $25/4 months and $75 for 12 months.  Cards are renewable every two years.  Overdue fines amount to 25 cents a day and borrowers are responsible for items borrowed with the card.

The Omaha Public Library provides daily events such as book clubs, early child development programs and computer classes.  It also serves as a community center with board game events and arts and crafts.  Residents may borrow watt detectors to measure electricity used by household appliances.

The main library of the Omaha Public Library is the W. Dale Clark Main Library at 215 South 15th Street, Omaha, Nebraska.  It can be reached at (402) 444-4800.

The main Library Hours are:

MO, TU, WE & TH 10 am – 8 pm

FR & SA 10 am – 6 pm 

SU 1-6 pm

E-book is the abbreviation for an electronic book that is readable on personal computers, some mobile phones and specialized e-book readers.  These books are usually electronic versions of a printed book but can sometimes be exclusive to electronic mediums.  In addition to several vendors, US libraries are now able to provide free e-books to borrowers.

In 1971, Michael S Hart created the first eBook by typing the Declaration of Independence into electronic form.  Since then, volunteers and several organizations under the name Project Gutenberg have created a library of over 36,000 digital books in plain text, html and .pdf formats.  The computer that composed the first Project Gutenberg document was one of the first fifteen computers that would form the Internet.  Since then, eBook scanning technology has improved which has made manual transcription from print to electronic less common.

In short, no.  Although many eBooks are in either HTML or .pdf formats, many others come in company or program specific formats.  For example, Amazon.com’s popular Kindle eBook reader uses eBooks in the .azw format.  This ensures compatibility with its reader and prevents unauthorized usage by individuals without a Kindle.  Often specific software is required to read these formats and each format supports different features such as Digital Rights Management (DRM) to prevent piracy and interactivity.

Several technological giants and bookstores have developed E-readers to keep up with changing market conditions.  Some of these readers are multifunctional personal computer tablets while others serve the only purpose of displaying e-books.  Since their release many of these readers have been redesigned with features such as longer battery life, wireless internet and higher capacity storage.

• Amazon.com – Kindle
• Sony – PRS-500
• Barnes and Noble – Nook
• Apple – iPad
• Kobo Inc. – Kobo eReader

E-books represent a growing market share of readable media and in some markets have begun to out-sell traditional print books.  E-books have the advantage of near eternal availability and benefit from titles before 1900 becoming public domain.  The lack of a physical form makes eBooks cheaper than conventional books, although many avid readers tend to prefer the tactile feel of a physical book.  Also, for most sellers, eBooks can be re-downloaded if they are ever lost.  The major drawbacks for eBooks are the variety of proprietary formats that prevent compatibility with other devices and tie the availability of the book to one or few controlling interests.  Also, e-book readers are far more fragile than conventional paper and cardboard books.

 

The Library of Congress, located in Washington DC was established in the year 1800 as resource for members of Congress.   The original collection focused on legal books although the Library of Congress’s collection has expanded significantly since then.  

After the destruction of the first Library during the War of 1812, former President Jefferson sold his personal library, consisting of a wide variety of topics to the Library of Congress to help rebuild the collection.  The Thomas Jefferson building, which houses the Library of Congress, reflects Jefferson’s contribution to the conception and growth of the Library.  The library grew in bursts, expanding its collection to include American literature and eventually comprising 840,000 volumes by the construction of the Thomas Jefferson building in 1897.  The other two main Library buildings are the John Adams and James Madison buildings.  

The Library of Congress proceeded to expand its collection to artistic and foreign language works as well as key documents from the founding of the United States such as the Federalist Papers.  Since then, the Library has served as a repository for significant works in the English language, adding about 10,000 items per day.

Since its conception, the Library of Congress has served as the legislative resource for members of Congress.  This duty led to the establishment of the Legislative Research Service in the early 20th century and official authorization in 1946.  The Legislative Research Service is now known at the Congressional Research Service (CRS).  The function of the CRS is to utilize resources at the Library of Congress to generate confidential and non-partisan reports exclusively for members of Congress.  Members of the public can receive CRS reports only by requesting them from their representatives or browsing reports released to be achieved.  Otherwise, the Library has gained traditional roles as a record of significant works of the English language and a curator of American culture.  Recently the Library has undergone changes coinciding with the Digital Age and began several initiatives to digitize its collection and collect electronic works of note.

No.  Only Congressmen and a small number of authorized personnel are allowed to remove books from the Library.  With a Reader Identification Card, the general public may access the books within the reading rooms of the library.  They may not remove the books from the premises.  RIC cards can be obtained at the Madison building for all persons over 16 years of age with valid government identification.

The Librarian of Congress is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.  These individuals serve indefinite terms, reflecting the function of the Library of Congress as a non-partisan organization.  The current librarian is James H. Billington, who is the thirteenth librarian of Congress, assuming office in 1987 under appointment by President Ronald Reagan.

Source: loc.gov/about/faqs.html

The Surrey Public Library serves the residents of Surrey, British Columbia was nine branches and a collection of over 700,000 materials.  

Residents of Surrey may obtain a library card with an acceptable ID and proof of address.  There is also the BC One card for library card holders than enable residents of British Columbia to borrow from any library in British Columbia.  Although materials may be returns to any participating branch, applicable fines and fees must be paid to the owed branches.  Borrowers may borrow up to fifty items at a time, with limits on CDs, DVDs and Videos.  The loan period for all books except bestsellers, is 3 weeks.

The Surrey Public Library offers homework help and reading buddies for elementary school students with the help of teenage volunteers.  Additionally, there are classes and book clubs for individuals learning English.  They also offer computer training and instruction on the use of eBook readers.

The Surrey Public Library Central Branch is located at 10350 University Drive, Surrey, BC V3T 4B8 and will open on September 24, 2011.  The library will double as a community center and include meeting space.  

The hours are: 

Monday – Friday: 9:30 am – 9pm

Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday: 1 – 5 pm

The Houston Public Library a system of a central library and thirty-six branch libraries that serve 2.1 million people in the greater Houston metropolitan area with 759.378 borrowers.  In addition to holdings of 3.6 million items, the Houston Public Library system also maintains a Metropolitan Research Center and a Center for Genealogical Research.  The modern day Houston Public Library grew out of the Houston Lyceum, founded in 1854 to bring culture to Houston through lectures, discussions and the creation of a library.  Funding from Andrew Carnegie gave the HPL legitimacy and they soon operated with funding from the city of Houston.

As of this year, the HPL website at houstonlibrary.com has received approximately 4.9 million visits.  Visitors to the website may check their accounts as well as search the library catalogue.  There is also a calendar of special events and a list of holiday closings.  As hour of operations are subject to changes, this information is updated frequently on the library website.  Lastly, there is a listing of relevant databases to assist individuals looking for specific information.

In addition to conventional forms of communication, the HPL has 24/7 real time assistance via online chat.  There are also several phone numbers to request services such as item renewal, account information and volunteer opportunities at https://www.houstonlibrary.com/contact-us

The central library is located at:

500 McKinney

Houston, Texas 77002

(832) 393 1313

The Mid-Continent Public Library is a consolidated library system that serves the Kansas City Metropolitan area.  It is the biggest system in the state of Missouri with a collection of over 3 million materials. However, it is separate from the Kansas City Public Library that serves the city proper.  The Mid Continent Public Library has thirty branches and is also home to the Midwest Genealogy Center.

The Mid-Continent Public Library has one of the largest summer youth reading programs in addition to typical library services such as computer access and adult educational classes.  You may receive a regular library card if you live within the MCPL service area comprising Clay, Platte and Jackson Counties.  Residents living in Kansas City are also eligible to borrow materials through a borrowing agreement between several public library systems in Missouri.  Out of district residents may apply for an out-of-district card that is valid for a year and costs $60.  A $30 research card is required to access the Midwest Genealogy Center and is valid for six months.  Regular library cards expire after two years and can be renewed via email, phone or at any of the MCPL’s 30 branches.

The Midwest Genealogy Center is located in Independence, Missouri at this address:

3440 S. Lee’s Summit Road

Independence, MO 64055-1923

(816) 252-7228

Hours: Mon – Thurs 9-9; Fri 9-6; Sat 9-5; Sun 1-5

The San Francisco Public Library serves the city of San Francisco with 27 branches and a membership of 363,995.  It was founded in 1878 and has a circulation of over 7 million items.  Since its founding, the public library system has undergone a number of renovations and built a number of new facilities due to age and earthquake retrofitting.  

The San Francisco Public Library holds daily workshops and events for young children and teenagers as part of a system-wide initiative to educate the youth of San Francisco.  Computer access is widely available as well as laptop borrowing for use in libraries only.  The SFPL’s website at sfpl.org maintains a current listing of all the branches and hours of operation.  Additionally, there is an immigration resource center to help immigrants prepare for the naturalization process.

Library cards are available to all residents of California with identifications.  Lost cards cost .50 cents from children and young adults to replace and $1 for adults and seniors.  Library cards expire after four years but the same card can be renewed at no additional cost.

The Main Library is located at:

100 Larkin St.

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 557-4400

 

 

The Madison Public Library serves the city of Madison, Wisconsin with nine locations.  It is part of a larger cooperative network called the South Central Library System and spans 52 public libraries in a seven county area.  In 2010, the nine branches circulated 4.8 library books and media at an average of 20 checkouts for every Madison resident. 

 

 

What are services offered by the Madison Public Library?

 

 

The Madison Public Library offers computer and internet access at its branches but unlike larger library systems, have fewer capabilities as some computers may lack internet access.  Somewhat uniquely though, the Madison Public Library’s Alicia Ashman branch has a public Ellison Die machine for cutting out paper shapes.  This requires a reservation in advance.  The MPL system also rents energy meters, engravers and audiovisual equipment.  There is a home service program for individuals that live within city limits, have a constant need for it and are physically unable to go to the library.

 

 

How do I get a library card?

 

 

Any resident that lives within the counties covered by the South Central Library System, you may apply for a card from the Madison Public Library if you do not have a card from your local library.  You must present ID and proof of address when applying for a card and there is a fee of $1 to replace a lost or stolen card.  Residents of Wisconsin may borrow from the Madison Public Library if they present their local card and identification with proof of address.