Libraries

[Ethel]

Do any of you use the local library? I get 90% of my novels from the library as I read on average 6 books a week.

I have borrowed many reference books too, including computer and IT; cookery and gardening books.

I can't understand why more people don't use their libraries. Mine sells tea and biscuits; gives computer lessons; has free internet; has a book club; a session for toddlers; authors and poets visit to give readings.

I can reserve books online and get an email when the book is ready to be collected.

So my question is - why don't people use their libraries?

[dot.hawkes]

I use the town centre library in my munch hour quite often, for all sorts of things, quite often it is to ask the reference librarian for info on local services for members of staff!!!
I used to use the microfiche archive and the microfilm archive for my family history, but i've done it now and so don't tend to go in there for family history much, though i do send alot of people there to use the sources.
my children grew up using their library and one son and my daughter have won competitions in the past, the other son never really took to using the library actually, he was more sport inclined.
I think there will be a time when libraries will come into their own again and be very well used.

[Bathsheba]

You've got the makings of a fab CV there, saxy! :)

[saxy_jag]

ChuckFickens, I know exactly where you're coming from. I used to work in a special school and met many kids who had come from mainstream hating books because they had been forced to read them when they often couldn't.

This is something libraries can address well, I think. Librarians will not force a child into reading or not reading anything, except where some obvious censorship may be required. Kids can come into a library and just chill, as long as they're not upsetting other users. We like them to see us as friendly and safe.

A great moment for me was when I was accompanying the book bus at a local festival. A toddler walking past broke away from his mother and just made a beeline for the bus. He climbed aboard with no hesitation whatsoever, picked out a book and sat down on the floor to read it.

Then there was the teenager I spied in the library the other day, who'd taken out a book, sat down on the floor with it, leaned back against the nearby cushions, plugged herself in to her iPod and just read. I'd love to have taken a photo of her, it was just such a perfect advert for us.

[Ethel]

My library has a local poet read to the children once a month - he is extremely visual and active, and the children love him. He doesn't only read his own poems, he does lots of poems suitable for children. Great fun

[jno]

How to Hug? That joke's as old as volume 6 of the Encyclopedia Britannica

[shaneystar2]

I haunt my local library :)
Can't afford to splash cash on books these days or belong to book clubs .We have a superb library service here in Norfolk .
I reserve what I want on line for a modest fee with email notification when they are ready for collection
I love crime novels and these are the sort of things I only read once anyway so see no point in cluttering up my bookshelves when I can get them from the library .Plus I can get through several books a week .
I do buy the odd reference book though as I like to have them to hand for me crosswords .
I have been using public libraries since I discovered Just William as a child many moons ago .
Our library opened in 1904 and was paid for by by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It was a lovely Art Deco building .
Its now been replaced by a new building with modern innovations ,like coffee shop ,internet access etc.
They have just brought in this self service thingy where you take out and return your books yourself on computer screen I'm still not too sure about that but I expect I will get used to it :)

[saxy_jag]

Of course, people who haven't visited libraries for a long time often have a stereotypical image of a librarian - miserable, straight-laced and middle-aged. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our lot are a right lairy bunch and there's not one stereotype among them.

[Naomicorlett]

I use my library every week mostly for fiction. I think we are unusual in that I have to pay �9 a year to use it. But worth every penny.

[Bathsheba]

Well said saxy!
I've never come across the stereotype librarian, although it has to be said there's quite a few males who are a bit light on their feet ;-) xx

[Bathsheba2]

Well said saxy!
I've never come across the stereotype librarian, although it has to be said there's quite a few males who are a bit light on their feet ;-) xx
i'm off here now- it's taken me 10 minutes to submit this reply, and my original name got dungeoned in the process

[bensmum]

I use my local library regularly and work with the Library service quite often as part of my job. I read a lot (although not as much as Ethel!) and get nearly all of my books from the library. The librarians are always ready to help and discuss books and I would really miss it if it wasn't there

[terambulan]

6 books pw Ethel....are they Ladybirds?

Takes me a month to read 1 ordinary novel ;o(

[Ethel]

Not ladybirds :) But I do read some classic children's books from time to time. The Wind in The Willows always makes me laugh.

[ChuckFickens]

6 a week is perfectly believable. I will read a "normal sized" paperback in one evening if it really gets my attention.

though thats one of the reasons I don't read as much these days, if I pick up a good book it's not put down again until it's finished. I decided sleeping is more important!

[Mrspoppins]

Hi Ethel, We have a mobile library where I live (in the sticks) and we would be lost without it! The kids love every 3rd wednesday and I know some of my neighbours up the road wouldn't see another human being during that week if it wasn't for Dave, the "library man". He reserves books for us, makes great recommendations and brings a wee bit of gossip too!

[Ethel]

Hurrah! for all our lovely library staff.

That is one thing to praise our councils for.

Thanks all for your input - you've brought good memories of the old days, and lots of positive feedback about today's libraries. :)