NYPL

New York Public Library is superb. Years ago I applied for a card, but didn't use it even once. Today I went there again, trying to get a new card, only to be told that my old card is still valid. Suspicious, I tried to borrow a book with it, and succeeded.

As I live in NJ, I also have a library card there. When compared side by side, it becomes obvious that the NY one is far superior in every aspect. I can request hold online, request books to be shipped to a particular branch, borrow audio and video materials, all free of charge; let alone the abundance of books; there are a long list of painstaking services, for the only purpose of making books accessible to every one. Just seeing such a well organized effort makes me feel happy that my NY state tax dollars are at work.