In the US, libraries are free, have bathrooms, and you can spend the whole day. Hence, urban libraries have become de facto homeless shelters with all the social problems that implies. Suburban libraries are still pretty great places to work or read, but city libraries are a tragedy compared to what they were when I was growing up.

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gnulinux 18 hours ago | parent | next [-]

It sounds like you experienced this in some American city and generalized to all? This absolutely not true for Boston Public Library which is an immensely convenient place to WFH, read, or write. I also never experienced this in NYC public libraries, nor in the main Philadelphia library.

Imho public library systems in US cities are absolutely incredible, and arguably one of the best perks of living in the US period.

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nycerrrrrrrrrr 19 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Not sure what city you're in, but this has not been my experience with several NYC libraries.

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cap11235 19 hours ago | parent [-]

Ditto in central Chicago. Unless someone is simply opposed to seeing homeless people in their vicinity.

	▲	imp0cat 18 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Seeing is fine. Smelling is usually much worse.

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ctkhn 19 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

They definitely aren't as good as they could be, but I have always been able to get stuff done if I reserve a study room. Even suburban libraries are better like that

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radiator 19 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Sounds like they need rules that state you are only allowed in if you actually want to use the library for its intended purpose.

	▲	gnulinux 18 hours ago \| parent [-]
		What do you think is the "intended purpose"? The fascinating and beautiful thing about the library systems in US is that there is no reason to have a purpose, you can literally just sit down and look outside the window. Breakneck-speed-modern-life needs this. I want a place to stop, think, read, write, listen... just somewhere to be human without fees for a second.