Is that paper you are working on missing the important “a hah” conclusion? Trying to find that one elusive quote? Need to fill out your bibliography? Need help researching your family tree? Or just need help find resources? All these questions and more can be answered for FREE from your local reference librarian. Fairbanks knows the importance of libraries and supports school, public, and university libraries, so use them!
Many questions can be answered by phone or e-mail. But nothing beats talking face to face with a professional librarian.
Us librarians love the challenge of locating the perfect source to answer your information needs. If we can’t find it, we call them “stumpers” and extend our queries to other librarians, who enjoy the competition of who can find the best, the fastest.
We rule the information world and love to share it with you.
To bad Fairbanks’ local library creeps me out, it seems more like a hangout for druggies and bums than a professional establishment. It doesn’t have that aura of culture and learning that Anchorages’ library has.
Yes, drugs WERE a problem, cameras have been installed, and a security guard hire. He does a great job talking to the pushers and explaining to them that they need to take their business elsewhere, because they are being filmed.
Yes, the police are called to remove miscreants, but look where the library is located, where else can these people go?
As for the homeless, this is part of new America, so deal with it. The public library is just that, it is a public place and as long as people are not interfering with others (noise, smell, etc.) then they have the perfect right to use the library. Which in told is the beauty of libraries, they are open to everyone, not just the privileged class.
So be brave and use the library that your taxes pay for.
My old favorite the “Stumpers” mailing list is dead, but it has been replaced by Project-Wombat — a list dedicated to difficult and curious reference questions asked at libraries.
The architectural differences between the local library here and in Anchorage contribute to the perception some people have. But I love the library here– I’ve been going there since I was a toddler. I remember going to a presentation with Bill Berry there when he was just starting the mural. I was there when they had the ceremony for the time capsule. It’s only improved and, for a city of this size, is a pretty great place.