An Informed Community

 

Hello, library and information enthusiasts!

Now that we have a better understanding of my local library, I want to speak about the surrounding communities. Indeed, the concept of a library is directly related to the community, considering that members of the local community constitute the majority of library users.

Grassy Park and its surrounding areas are rife with information centres besides public libraries: internet café’s, libraries, community centres, etcetera. One favourite of mine is the book store, and fortunately the book store is still a popular centre for information in the modern world. One book store in particular that I want to discuss is Bargain Books in Diep River, which is about a ten-minute drive away from my house. I have frequented this book store for years now, due to it being a factory store and, consequently, having affordable prices.

Besides Library and Information Sciences, I chose English as an elective module for my degree, and on this particular visit to the book store I was looking for three books needed for said module. Even though I only managed to find one of those books, I can confidently say that a visit to the book store, even if one comes home empty-handed, is never a waste of time. Even if you are not looking for anything in particular, I can say with utmost certainty that, after scouring the isles of a book store, something will catch your eye.

It is unfortunate that book stores seem to have overshadowed libraries, despite the many ways the community can benefit from libraries, however it must be said that book stores can be a good source of information. The only difference (barring the lack of price tags at public libraries) between libraries and book stores is that libraries have a more detailed collection. With that said, book stores are definitely capable of satisfying one’s information needs.