Are libraries important?

[Coldicote]

According to the news today fewer than 50% of children aged 8 - 17 read novels outside school, but prefer text messages and emails I'll probably be 'shouted down' for saying this, but I've never been convinced of the supposed importance of libraries, especially novels and fiction which are products of writers' imagination anyway. I've read and studied for exams, as I'm sure many others have, but don't find pleasure in reading just for the sake of it. What are your views about this?

[Snafu03]

libraries? full of foreigners using 'tinternet.

[IdontBelieveIt]

I don't know, golly.
They usually conduct these experiments whilst their mother and I are cruising the carribean.

[gollysailor]

Spooky

[divegirl]

I love to read and spend at least an hour a day [minimum] doing it. Of my two children only one reads...the other is surgically attached to her phone.
I think it's a case of each to their own, I tried to get my daughter 'into' books but she just doesn't find the mental stimulation that her brother and I do, we are currently both reading the Game of Thrones books and having the most amazing in depth conversations about them.....the daughter just laughs at us!

Lisa x

[annie0000]

Our local library is great - not particularly well stocked as it's not very big, but you can order in books from other libraries in the council area. They run book groups and reading groups from babies to adults and have speakers in etc. very much part of the community. My kids read voraciously. 20-30 books over the school holidays - they are also interested in other stuff, science, computer games, sports etc too, but I rarely ever hear them say they are bored. In terms of helping them academically, they have great imaginations and are ahead in their written work and are 3 years ahead in terms of their reading age. I'm not complaining!!!! Wouldn't want our library to disappear.

[annie0000]

oh, and Ummmm - HP books not too bad - First 3 are the most childish - they grow on you after that. I read a lot of children's fiction - generally the first book in most series just to see if it is suitable before passing it on to the kids. Some I enjoy others not so much.

[Coldicote]

Thank you everyone for an interesting discussion. My first thought about HP was Hewlett Packard, then it dawned on me it was a reference to Harry Potter, but what can you expect from one who regards reading as a chore!! All for now ..... 'bye.

[Euphemia]

One of the joys of retirement is having time (and not being too tired) to read.
We are very fortunate in having excellent public libraries in Edinburgh.

[craft1948]

I first joined a library when I was 7 and have been a library user ever since. I'd rather do without a television than books........

[marval]

I think libraries are important, I love reading. I have spent many a time quietly in our local library. We have a few in the area, you can take books out in one and return to another. We only get half an hour free in our library, but I love looking round and finding new ones to read. They also sell books off.

[notasyoungasiwas]

I absolutely love reading and yes I think libraries are extremely important.

[nannybooby]

I would be lost without my library free e books , audio books, reference library.My grand children love their library too. We need to keep them they are so relevant

[emmie]

I loved libraries as a child, they were the world of adventure, books of daring do, and romance, and i think that if you can't avail yourself of a library, when you perhaps can't afford books, as many couldn't then, and perhaps now, then it would be a sad day to lose them.

[DTCwordfan]

They are dating locations in the USA as well!

[shaneystar2]

I love my local library which was originally a Carnegie Library .
I used to haunt it as a child for the latest Just William and still haunt it as an old woman .In fact I've been a member of a library somewhere throughout my entire life .
I get through four or five books a week and on a limited income these days books are too expensive to buy on a regular basis these days and apart from that I like to get value for money from my council tax :)

We have an excellent library service here in Norfolk .I can manage my acount on line ,reserve the latest books that interest me and see everything on loan and reservation at at glance .
Our library has facilities for young Mums and children for reading and play ,computer access,coffee shop ,reading groups and local heritage etc .
Libraries are no longer run by ladies in twin sets saying shush and are a valuable part of the community .
To lose them would be cultural vandalism .
Support your local library .

[joko]

i dont use libraries often, but i do read a lot and have lots of books.
i also now have got into ebooks and audio books, which are often easier to manage than a normal book.

i love having whole novels on my phone that i can read anywhere.

i think libraries should always exist though...even if in the end most of the books are all digital...
that would be a shame though - as some books are beautiful