I have recently started browsing on-line, and then putting in a request for the title at the library. I hadn't really thought about this, but you are right - I am like your friends and haven't been browsing for a while.

Some of it was time (not enough); some of it was being accosted by undesirable characters at the library so not wanting to hang around long; and some of it just being a focused reader. I used to do lots of browsing, but not any more.

I may have to investigate this more: the irritating undesirable character hasn't been there for a while, and although time is still in limited supply, I can always find time to go to the library...

Interesting comment though. Thanks!

Although I have plenty of time on my hands and could browse, I don't usually. I pick books from the SYKM emails and request them from the library or occasionally buy one.
If the library cannot supply one, I check out the New Books displays for regular then large print books.
Only if I still cannot find anything to take home do I browse the mystery fiction shelves. My local library does theme shelving which I do not wholly agree with as some authors don't write only one genre but is handy for a quick hunt.

I used to love browsing at the library. Recently, our town built a new library, and it just is not a comfortable or enjoyable place. The computers for searching for a book are in an awkward area, somehow the shelving system doesn't make sense to me in it's current arrangement. And as annpan's library has done, the paperbacks are arranged by theme...and authors tend to be scattered. Some paperbacks are in the hardcovers. The "new books" are downstairs, but it's not unusual to find a 3-4 year old novel on those shelves, with limited time before the due date. So I reserve books you all tell me about, and new novels by favorite authors.

Browsing in bookstores, however, remains a favorite past time. I can count on my usual stores to have books where they have been, or near by. There is staff accessible to help me if not. And, unlike the library, they are open all day everyday, instead of what seems to be some random change in schedule, that mutates now and then.

I browse the new books section at the library and do select books there, but when I am looking for anything in particular, I request the book through the online catalog and pick it up at my favorite branch.

I browse bookstores, too, and buy books there, but an awful lot of my purchases both new and used are made online. I make sure that I purchase at least some of my reading material from a local bookstore, just because I want such places to continue to be available to me. If we don't support them, they will go away.

Rosefolly

I do the same thing. I look up suggested books online, figure out what I want to read and then order it from the library or Amazon. I used to buy from a locally-owned book shop, too, but the owner retired this year and we have only the big chains in town now and I feel no need to support them.

I will often browse the new books section or the FoL sale table at our library when I go in for pick-up, but I no longer browse the main shelves. Some of this is due to time constraints, some due to lack of easy/free parking near the main library, but mostly it's due to the fact I have so many books on my Want To Read List I no longer feel the need to browse for more.

By the way, I don't think this thread is 'OT' at all, but instead, just our thing!

I still browse, although not as much as I used to. My tiny local library isn't set up too well for that, and the book selection is limited by space considerations. But I still read the newspapers and magazines, and quite enjoy doing so. I seem to have also become an unofficial resource when I am there. Ex:

Patron at desk: I would like one of those "Girl Who" books.

Library worker: (raising voice) Siobhan, which book should she read first?

Me: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Patron: Do I have to read them in order?

Me: Yes

Library worker: Thanks, Siobhan

Ex

Patron: Where is the poetry?

Volunteer at desk: I'm not sure...Siobhan, are you there?

Me: Yes, 811, in here with the magazines.

This is all horrifically uncool, but I can admit to it here.

And I browse so much at the local bookstore that they ask me to tell them which shelves need tidying.

Siobhan - I love your bookstore and library stories... You are definitely one of the team... :-)

And it's not uncool. Au contraire.

I, too, request online so many books recommended here, from SYKM, and from friends, plus the new ones that I buy, that I hardly have time to read them and so don't spend much time browsing. I miss it, though.

Siobhan, do you go to the bookstore in Booth bay that has books upstairs around the balcony?

Yes I do, it is called Sherman's. They have four locations in Maine including Boothbay Harbor.

Rosefolly, I am the same with the local bookstores. I buy a lot online, but try to buy there at least occasionally to keep them going. And thanks for the comment, I just wasn't sure if it would be considered OT or not.

A lot of my online ordering is the result of browsing at museum or historical sites. The books at the giftshops are nearly always full retail (or higher). If they are locally published, though, the gift shops are sometimes the only source. I usually try the library first, and then online. Local bookstores here, unfortunately, tend toward the mass market.

I think Sherman's in Camden has become my "local' bookstore as there aren't any independents near enough to home to go to. This last trip was the first time I haven't come home with some books. I like both Camden and Boothbay Shermans, but spend more time in Camden. Last year I ordered a whole bunch of stuff from there for Christmas gifts.

I am very glad to hear you are supporting Sherman's. I also like the Maine Coast Bookstore in Damariscotta, which is quite close to Rte. 1, and has a nice cafe. I do wish they were open a bit later, though - even in the summer they close quite early.

Have you stopped in Damariscotta? It is worth a look, a very nice shopping street with a good mix of "tourist" and more practical stores.

I bought two Christmas gifts at Sherman's today, doing my part!

I love to browse among pre-loved books, I have purchased some real gems, it is my favourite pastime. I still visit my library to look at the newbys plus order or take from the shelves recommended ones.

Siobahn, We're very familiar with Damariscotta. We buy sandwiches across the street from the bookstore, and take them to Pemaquid to spend time at the lighthouse. In October we went down the other side of the peninsula, and found a pretty little beach that was like a hidden haven. V

Siobhan, the next time I'm traveling in Maine, I'll try to make a point of stopping by Sherman's. You make it sound appealing.

BTW, can you recommend some local Maine authors? Not so very famous that they are out of reach? I belong to a traveling book club that once a year travels to meet an author, after having read a book that author wrote. We choose books with a strong sense of setting if possible, so if we went to Maine we'd want a book set in Maine written by a Maine author.

Someone else is lobbying for another location, so it might be another year, but I would love us to go to Maine soon.

Rosefolly

Wow, that is some book club! There are so many authors here, and many are very accessible. Let me think on it -

What about this:

http://www.maineliteraryfestival.com/site/Home.html

Except March is hardly the time to suggest visiting Maine. I have wanted to come to this for many years, but can't see it happening.

What is SKYM ???

What would the world be w/out book browsing places?

Living in NY City there are quite a few book stores, but -- alas, thanks to Barnes and (ig)Noble, so many of the independents have gone out of business. Luckily, there's still the wonderful Strand -- full of new and tons of out-of-publication books. Like digging for buried treasure ... then finding some fascinating-looking book that's out-of-print and (probably) will never be re-published, that turns out to be a GEM...and you end up keeping it for life because you know you'll want to read it again someday!

I need to touch -- HANDLE -- each book that catches my eye. It goes much faster, too, as far as flipping through the first pages, reading the back cover reviews and synopsis .... quicker than on a computer! Also, I like to GET OUT, and it's fun to sometimes get into a conversation w/a clerk or another shopper. I've discovered soooooo many good books buy browsing inside a store!

SYKM is Stop You're Killing Me, a wonderful website about mysteries.

Hey, anytime is good for visiting Maine! We would love to have you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stop You're Killing Me

I am a big browser. I work close to a big name bookstore (which has two floors) and enjoy spending my lunch hour going through all the shelves. If something strikes my fancy, I will try and remember the name and look it up online because most times it is cheaper to order it.

Until recently, I also used to browse at the library every Saturday but, as I may have mentioned before, I would come home with an armload of books and would end up hardly getting through any of them before they had to go back. It was a weird sort of pressure.

Now that I have cut out weekly library browsing and allow only one or two books out at a time I find that I am getting more actual reading done. Based on this success, I am afraid I should cut out the lunch hour browsing at the store too in order that I may make a dent in my owned TBR pile of books, rather than discovering new ones to purchase :c(

Tues - Dec 7 - 10:59pm

Siobahn - Thanks for the link! ... I just spent an hour there, & added it to my bookmarks.

Kathleen

Today for the first time I emailed my library to order me a book I heard about on BBC radio.
It was so easy. Got me thinking about using the internet to browse about books; and minutes later I found you talking about the same thing.

I live in New Zealand
I have recently joined a wonderful friendly plant forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum