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Comment by mumblemumble | Hacker News Reader

e.g., the neighborhood library is the (non-school) hub of my kindergartener's social life. And therefore, to some extent, mine.

It's one of the few places I know of that has plenty for young children to do, is open in all weather, is anywhere close to home, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get into.

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My local library is wonderful. My kid has activities, learns reading, draws, etc. and it offers computer skills to those who wouldn't otherwise learn them. Very good use of local tax dollars.

Please make an active effort to support your local library and it’s funding. Consider running for a trustee or other governance position to further this endeavor.

I think OP was referring to homeless people, who enter libraries in order to protect themselves from cold.

I do, too; that's what motivated me to offer a reality check to try and counterbalance what a lot of people are going to (reasonably) interpret as a mean-spirited joke.

Homeless people use the library more than just a place to get warm. It's a free place to use the toilet. It's an important entry point to social services, and free internet access.

And of course, plenty of people use them as a place to read books, magazines, and newspapers.

Yes, I guess it's like that; I just noticed that when I visited United States (I'm Italian), don't know much about homelessness in United States

Italy also has libraries and homeless people, doesn't it? Are libraries free or discriminatory? Where do homeless people typically spend their time?

I don't know much about homelessness, I'm sorry. I can just say that you can't see so many homeless people as in US cities.

The US has about twice as many homeless people per capita as Italy.

Or college students? When I was in school I spent more time in the library than literally anywhere else on Earth other than my house. That's where I did the majority of my homework.

I could also imagine someone working remotely having high library utilization.

I work from the Library. About 1/2 of all people on the computer desks with own laptop are running their business from the library. Free desk open from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm Mon-Fri.

Most co-working spaces charge $20-$100 per day for a desk.

That's interesting! What about calls? You never have work calls with collegues / other people?

My local library has a "phone room" - literally the size of a phone booth. I think there are some usage limits but I've never used it so I'm not sure what they are.

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