Librarians are finding they're serving a new kind of customer these days, as more local users, and not a few visitors, find it a quiet place to work and use WiFi without having to keep buying cafe cofffees as 'table rent.'
The Los Angeles Times noted the phenomenon in an article earlier this month, quoting the LA Public Library's branch service director who pointed out that “There’s no place like it. Where else can you just walk in off the street and get help for whatever you need?” And, as a library, it has services and resources no coffee shop can match.
In Los Angeles, the uptick has led to a recently-launched project to add outlets to tables in more branches, and to increase other facilities, including more water fountains. The article lists ten of the area's beautiful and varied locations.
While public libraries are mostly dedicated to local users, some travelers, including the author, have found libraries in other cities and countries generally welcoming and helpful.
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