The Library is Useless

[NightrainSrt4]

So I go into my college's library to check out some C++/DirectX books (as I've pretty much stayed with java, with some python and a little c on the side) and what I find are books with an average print date of 1994 . . .

Anyone else have a horrendously outdated library / section? This was quite frustrating with outrageous prices of books at retail stores.

I'll just have to look for online tutorials I suppose.

[knowledgegranted]

Every Library near my house and at my school is completely out dated. Books on anything older than 1999 are almost useless by now; except for literature and things of that sort.

Then there's the problem of actually buying the books, and how the libraries around us are mostly government funded and contain a selection close to none.

[Oneslowz28]

Our local library is just as bad. I went in a few weeks ago for a few books on economics and business law and the most current ones they had were circa 1992. The latest computer related book they had was a "Windows ME for dummies". The sad thing is that this is the largest and best library within 45 miles. They got something like 1.2 million in the Stimulus under Prez Bush, and another $120k from the current stimulus package and they have just done cosmetic and network upgrades. They are still running pentium 3 dells now with open office, and they have a crappy wifi system. There has been a lot of angry people about how they have been managing funds and not putting more focus on the up to date material.

[y4na]

Man there's 3 libraries in Oshawa, the place where I live, and they all have 2 shelves each dedicated to modern computer books

Edit: Whoops I meant libraries.

[mittelmeier]

Our local library is terrible about that. I tried to get a few books for college and the ones they had copies of were very outdated. Our librarian said if I brought in the ISBN number on the current edition of the book they most likely could order it in for us. You may want to check that out. Just make sure you tell them you want that specific ISBN and not a different edition of the book.

[Oneslowz28]

Oh yea we have several book stores here with hundreds of thousands of books each but why pay $50-$200 for a book when you can check it out at the local library for free... that used to be the case.

[NightrainSrt4]

I can understand a local library not having much for a niche type subject, but a big college that has a major under this . . . I'm not so forgiving.

I could count the CS books newer than 2004 on my hands, and most were overly general basic IT books.

They can probably order in a book for me, but the thing was I was stuck in the library without my laptop waiting for my fiance to get out of class and had 2 hours to kill. I figured they'd have at least a few books of use, like my old community college that had a huge section on IT. But, no.

[Zephik]

What we need is a massive online library, but one that actually delivers a book to you, sort of like GameFly or Netflix or something on those lines. Actually, digital format would be nice as well for things like the Kindle or iPod Touch/iPhone, Notebook/Netbook, etc etc.

As far as I know, all that's out there that is even remotely like that are just online bookstores which don't have renting programs, so your only option is to buy the book.

It's going to be pretty nice once that Kindle or other eBook readers start getting a whole lot more affordable.

[x88x]

PaperBack Swap (http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php) does something kinda like that, but crowdsourced.