In a way, I feel I don't know what a library is. This is not because I haven't visited one but because it wasn't really a thing when I was growing up, it wasn't even in our top 30 to do list or things we know. We totally had nothing to do with libraries, no excursion or need to be in one. I remember that I've read about libraries in English textbooks, story books and literature books, that's all.
Library is a store house of knowledge, as I'd like to put it. It houses knowledge from men from different race, background and even colour. I haven't read many books in my entire life but the few that I've read are enough to let me know that some certain knowledge are stored in books: men pour or their knowledge, their wisdom and locked it up in books leaving it to be found by those who are in search of knowledge and wisdom. These knowledge varies from different field and aspect of life: there's history, science like biology, physics, chemistry, geography, bio information, technology, etc.
It was a norm to have books and to read books, also to visit the library often. It used to be part of people's lifestyle visiting the library to read books, not because they don't have what to do but it was a norm. They go to the extent of buying books that are series, having favorite authors and publishers, have friends they read with.
It's unlike this era, there's almost no such thing as visiting the library except it's important and mostly probably for research purposes. We have so many books online as e-books and access to those books are way easier than leaving your room and house to go get it in a library or even a bookstore. Many e-books have been made free legally or illegally while few need to be accessed by paying for it.
Research, history, information and ancient books that couldn't be made available online are the only reasons why libraries are still been visited in this era. It is not so common to se people in the library. In fact, libraries are more like a place you visit for fun now, close to being a tourist center.
My school has abkut 3 libraries, big, well ventilated and constructed ones, but I haven't been in any of them. I only hear and see people go there to study, especially during examination period. And I don't know if I'll be in any of the libraries till I graduate, but I might want to break that record.
Does that mean people don't read books? Nah. I still have people and know people that buy books regularly, some of them but every month. Only those who know and value the knowledge on books go for them. My friends mostly buy self development and finance books, then I have a lady that reads fictions, has over 600+ books in total: she's close to having a library in her house. I am still tryinb to get my first book and all I can say is that I'm not serious enough about it that's why I haven gotten it.
Truth be told, libraries are still needed, people don't frequent at such places doesn't mean it has lost it value. There are still books, articles and informations that can't be found online except in libraries.