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Suzie, I've heard that the Kryptonite U-bolt type locks (not cables) are the safest. I saw them on all the bikes parked in the street in NYC- bike theft capital of the world I imagine. All those city bikes either had those U-bolts or they had HUGE heavy chains with HUGE padlocks on them....or both!
Don't forget to lock your bike TO something. It's not so much some teen RIDING off on it as it is a guy throwing your bike into their van (lock and all) and driving off.
One of the students in my lab always carried his wheel with him. People just figure that somebody has stolen your bike once and you don't want it to happen again.
I went to the library today, noticed that they have bike racks out front, and am wanting to start riding my bike there if I ever get panniers.
The problem is, I'm nervous about locking it out front and going in. The bike racks are off to the side and there are no windows on the front of the library -- just brick wall.
I now understand why people start accumulating bikes. Beater bikes for times like this, I guess. But my bike is pretty much an urban hybrid that's great for just this kind of errand, so wouldn't that be a crock to not be able to use it this way? Sigh.
Pooks - the library is one of my favorite places to ride so please try it. Get a good lock or two and/or take the front wheel inside with you. If there's foot traffic going by the bike rack (other library patrons) that should help deter theft, too.
I have panniers and a back rack on my "errand" bike. I don't usually use the pannier for books -- just a bungie cord or two and strap my books to my rack.