I wonder which library you visited. Greene county (home to Springfield) is generally considered to have one of the best library systems in the state. The five libraries in the city limits are very diverse because they're all tailored to a different demographic. For example, if you were expecting a large research library and visited the Midtown branch, I can see how you'd be disappointed. However, even if your closest library doesn't do it for you, you can get any book in the system sent to any library in the system. Can't find what you're looking for in the system? Ask a reference librarian about MOBIUS, which enables you to get a number of books from outside the system sent to any library in the county. Don't live close enough to a library? Programs like Walking Books and Bookmobile make books accessible to everyone. Or maybe books aren't your thing. Check out the latest issue of Libewire for endless programs for children, teens and adults. There are meeting rooms and private study rooms in both The Library Center and The Library Station. Both of these libraries also have separate genealogy sections. The downtown branch provides tons of computers with a minimalist collection heavy on newspapers and magazines that's geared toward business people on coffee break and teenagers. Brentwood is a cozy branch with a larger-than-expected collection and large dedicated reading room. I may be way off here, but I think you probably didn't really do your research on the system before you posted. Next time, look into something a little more before you bemoan a whole city based on one experience you had there.
Cassy | Springfield, MO | Report Abuse