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Forum -> Yom Tov / Holidays -> Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, Fast Days, and other Days of Note

Library on Shabbos?

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amother

Linen

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 9:04 am

Is it ok to go to a public library on Shabbos? I know would be a problem to check books out, but what about just reading there? Our local branch doesn't have automatic doors or any other kind of electronic entrance. Honestly, the only issue I could think of is that I've never seen any frum people doing it, so maybe there's something I'm not thinking of. My kids were asking to go yesterday, and I felt bad saying no. Especially with the afternoons being so long this time of year, I guess I want to look into it for the future if it's an option. If no, is there a real reason, aside from "not shabbosdik"? Thanks.

imasinger

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 9:28 am

AYLOR.

amother

Linen

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 9:32 am

We just moved here and don't have one yet.

DrMom

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 9:35 am

I don't see why not, assuming you think reading is an acceptable activity.

amother

Dodgerblue

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 9:37 am

You can call your old rabbi, or the rabbi at the local shul even if he doesn't know you. This can definitely be problematic.. or not. You need to ask.

Rachel Shira

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 10:45 am

I remember this coming up when I was a kid. We never did it because it wasn't in the spirit of Shabbos. I can't think of a specific halachic problem though.

zzzz

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 10:51 am

I agree with the above that it doesn't seem to pose a halachic problem but is not in the spirit of Shabbat. Ask your Rav.

As an alternative, perhaps you can check out before Shabbat several books for each of your children to keep them occupied over Shabbat.

amother

Linen

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 11:30 am

I guess I'll call our old Rav. We have tons of books of our own at home and are constantly checking out others, but this library in the new town is really nice and the kids love going. They want to actually go, rather than read at home.

Amarante

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 1:01 pm

Why would this be different than going to a park or other permitted recreational destination. So long as nothing is done that violates, why would going to a library be different than going to a playground?

I am not even understanding why it's not in the spirit of Shabbos any more than any other children's recreational activity. Children are allowed to read books for pleasure on Shabbos.

What specific action is wrong - taking books from the shelf and going to a table or chair to read? Why is this different than performing the same action in one's home? Is it the physical carrying of the books at the library?

Genuinely curious as to what portion of the activity is problematic.

heidi

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 1:04 pm

zzzz wrote:

Why is taking a walk and reading not in the spirit of Shabbat?
To me it sounds just as good (if not better) than playing Risk or Monopoly for hours on end. Or even than getting all sweaty and gross in a playground

amother

Dodgerblue

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 1:17 pm

In general, a library is a place where people perform melachos that are not allowed on shabbos. People usually check books in and out and use the computers. Even if you aren't doing that on shabbos, you're surrounded by people who are. That's very different from going somewhere where shabbos doesn't change much. Yes, people can bring chalk or electric scooters to the park. But it's not an inherent part of park-going that you're simply avoiding on that day.

That's how I see it, at least.

Blessing1

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 3:03 pm

I'm thinking that even if it might be halachaklly allowed, it might not be allowed because of marris ayin.

mommyhood

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 3:06 pm

Our library has lots of people on computers and iPads right near the books so it's not an environment that I'd be comfortable with for Shabbos.

amother

Lilac

Sun, Jul 30 2017, 3:21 pm

Why don't you go to the library on Friday and take out the books you would read on shabbos. We try to go on Fridays especially when shabbos starts so late.

Another mom

Mon, Jul 31 2017, 9:02 am

I remember going once as a kid on Shabbos. NO iPads then!!

miami85

Mon, Jul 31 2017, 9:18 am

I remember thinking about it when I was a kid, and was told it wasn't Shabbosdik--but also the library was like a mile away from me so not practical, but no one I know who lived nearby did it either. I do recall an incident where there was some sort of Town Hall meeting occurring at the library on Shabbos and a local Rabbi encouraged people from the community to attend it. I don't remember the topic other than it was a "hot topic".

I second the idea of taking a bunch of books out for shabbos reading.

amother

Linen

Mon, Jul 31 2017, 10:07 am

Thanks. I think I posted above, but I'll say again: we already DO check books out before Shabbos and have tons and tons of books that we own. That's not the issue. They want to actually go to the library. It happens to be around the corner and really nice and they like going. If I shouldn't allow it, I need a good reason. I hear that about the computers- that even if they wouldn't be using them, it may not be so appropriate to hang out in a space where lots of people are using computers on Shabbos. Maybe that's how I should frame it.

PinkFridge

Mon, Jul 31 2017, 10:12 am

amother wrote:

How to frame it? There are just some things we don't do on Shabbos. Even if you enjoy the library more than all your other Shabbos options.
Actually, you can stop at, there are just some things we don't do on Shabbos.

ETA: I second Imasinger. AYR.

Hatzlacha, and may you find the move bringing you bracha and simcha and growth for your family.

Amarante

Mon, Jul 31 2017, 11:05 am

Not to play devil's advocate but what difference does it make if people around you are on a computer. If one walks out of one's house, there will be people driving; people using the phone; stores open and all kinds of other activities that are not done on Shabbos by the frum.

While the role of the library has expanded with new forms of communication, I think the activity that most people immediately associate with a library is people looking at paper books and reading quietly.

The library is not exactly Satan's den of iniquity. One can be in a building where electricity is being turned on or off or appliances are being used and one doesn't generally think that one is going to be tainted by what others are doing around them. Undoubted someone is tearing toilet paper somewhere LOL

The list of things being done in proximity is endless and unavoidable unless one never leaves one's home or else lives an extremely isolated existence.

Why is using an iPad different than someone using paper and pencil to write down stuff. Would one balk at being in a place where people were writing?

SixOfWands

Mon, Jul 31 2017, 11:14 am

Amarante wrote:

Agreed. Then again, we often see frum people in the library on Shabbat.

And we see plenty of people with cell phones at the park. When the ice cream truck comes, its easy to tell who is a Shomer Shabbat Jew. But we don't stop going there

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