Libraries

We use the local library on a regular basis, but the whole of the library service has recently undergone cuts and huge reorganisations in this city. Due to lack of funds they now have fewer new books in circulation and if you want to take one of them out you can only have it for a week and are not allowed to renew until the book has been in circulation for a certain amount of time, which is no good to me as I don't have time to read a book a week, no matter how riveting a read it may be! They're very helpful if you want a book which isn't on their shelves, though. They will also accept donated books - I have given them quite a few hard back books which are taking up space in my bookshelves. Ones that are hardly used (how many times do you want to read General Sir Richard Dannatt's autobiography?) they put them in circulation. Those that are more "loved" go onto the charity shelf. I agree with Trisher, I miss the quiet in our local library which is an all in one space. Sometimes you can't hear yourself think! In the central library the computer facility and the childrens library are in different rooms.

Until last year I used to take my 3 grandchildren to the local library on a Saturday morning to a singing group. They loved joining in and then they went to borrow books and DVDs. There were also special craft events from time to time which they thoroughly enjoyed. Unfortunately the oldest boy, now 8yrs found it too young for him and the youngest girl(aged 2 yrs) found it great fun to take her shoes off and race around the adult section of the library! Eventually we stopped going as it was so stressful for me.

Now they are a little older I want to try again but the oldest boy now has football on a Saturday morning with his dad. Playing, training and watching football seems to take over everything for Dad and Son and GDs and I are just left behind! Maybe us girls should just go for it then!

We are quite well off for libraries here although with the county council cuts the smaller ones are open at odd times and I have to keep a note of their hours. I order books having downloaded samples onto the Kindle. I read the samples on holiday, delete the ones which don't appeal and order the others. It is also possible to use the university library and apply to join the Cathedral library . If anyone is visiting Durham the Magna Carta is on show on Palace Green in the library there.
They also do proggy mat making in the main library and a children's story time. There are often more people in the upstairs research section than in the lending section. Also a coffee machine and biscuits.
Computers are in the basement.

Charity Bookshops are doing quite well out of me now. I always use them for books for holidays.
You'd be amazed at all the grey haired doing research in libraries jbf!

But the charity book shops might thrive.

Not sure how many "older people" are into 'original sources' or 'research'.

Maggiemaybe we are so lucky there is still a mobile library service here. My 93 year old mother uses it. She reads a lot and having a pile of books delivered to her is something which enriches her life and keeps her going.
jinglebellsfrocks not everything is on the internet. I use our library in town for research and some things can only be found by looking at original sources. And I like books if I had to buy all the ones I read I'd be skint!

If Gransnet are successful in getting older people online, will we still need libraries?

All the information we will ever need is available on the internet. Amazon marketplace sell books cheaply. And then, of course, there is the Kindle.

And I'd forgotten about the mobile service. We used to have one, even though it's not a rural area. I used to really look forward to its fortnightly(?) visit when gettng to the library wasn't so easy with three under 4s.

I forgot to mention the fabulous local history archive on the top floor of our central library in town, a 15 minute bus ride away. I've used it for research and it's a haven of tranquillity, as the "no talking' rule is still observed there. I love being in there, scrolling through the microfilm. Till my eyes start boggling, that is - some of those old newspapers are difficult to read.

Alternitively could we have a quiet hour when the computers are turned off and children are not allowed in.

This is too late of course- it would be nice if a little more notice had been given. I live a 10 min walk from my library and use it regularly. It is well used by all ages. There is an area for children, lots of computers, tables for study and even a coffee machine. One thing I would like to see is a "quiet area" some distance from the computers, where children are not allowed, with comfy -not too low- seating etc. There is an area with settees but it is right next door to the computers -usually there are teens playing noisy games. I know things have changed since I was small and chat and noise are allowed in the library now, but those of us who grew up just after the war miss the tranquility and peace we once fouund there.

Once upon a time I couldn't imagine life without my local library, visiting it every week or so and taking out as many books as possible. But that was when I lived in a big town with a large Central Library with an extensive non-fiction section, I am not really a novel reader, and a good local history and reference section as.

I now live in a comparatively rural area. We no longer have a library van. The library in my local town is not large and, as I only visit the town once a week to do my shopping, it is usually shut when I visit.

Much of what I used to do in a library: use the reference section, access specialist literature, do research, I can now do better online. Even my limited novel reading, mainly 19th and early 20th century; everything from Jane Austen to John Buchan, I either already own or can download onto my Kindle for free or a very small cost as the books are now all out of copyright.

I still use specialist libraries but I do miss that regular visit to my local library.

Our library is about 5 minutes away, in the civic complex, next to the health centre and clinic; and handy for Waitrose and other shops.

I love our library which is about 4 miles round trip from where I live, it has the council offices inside which are convenient and does knitting groups and matmaking. I have been a member since I was 7 when I used to borrow Enid Blyton books, which started my craze for reading, I also took my DD which also started her interest in literature leading to her degree in literature and I now occasionally take DGD.
I just love the smell/atmosphere of the library I hope they never close ours. I love my kindle but real books are different more real.

I love libraries and have used them all my life. But they are an easy target when the council wants to save money and libraries are either closing or having their opening hours reduced. My library used to open each day but has been cut to only one full day and two half days a week l. I fear it is being closed by stealth, keep chipping the hours off before closing it altogether, or having volunteers running it.
Do not degrade the library service and do not underestimate it's value to members of the community whatever their age.
I do feel very strongly about this.

They're doing the same to our library and civic centre, caz and taking quite a long time to complete the work. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished building.

There is a library at the end of my road (an 8 minute walk), which I use occasionally.

I use the main library (about a mile away) every week. It is in the town centre at the top of a very busy market and it was completely refurbished and extended a few years ago.

I get a selection of children's books to take to the school where I read with the children (the school library's selection is rather limited). I don't usually get books for myself from the library. I prefer to buy paperbacks, either new or from charity shops.

We are lucky - the libraries here are excellent and very well used.

I have always used libraries since childhood. They are like treasure troves filled with wonderful surprises. My local library is a small modern building but still a great place to spend time. I also use the libraries e books and download magazines to my iPad which I combine with borrowing actual books . I hope they never close their doors.

I loved the library when I lived in Darlington – a glorious red-brick Victorian building donated by a local philanthropist. I just borrowed books to keep me entertained but it also had many other facilities for those who needed them for research or homework. Where I live now, the library – a much more modern building – is also a joy with many different genres of books to borrow, a great children's library which also offers a variety of activities, plus computers and a local history archive. It is one of my three-year-old grandson's favourite outings with me to go to choose new books at the library.

I've been an avid user of public libraries all my life and go to my local one every 10 days or so. I borrow anything from 6 to 8 books a time depending on what they have in. Thursday is a good day to go as they get their new stock then and there is nothing to beat the smell and feel of a brand new book. I should feel bereft without the public library. I can order books or extend the return date on-line so there is never the danger of a fine!

Our library has recently moved into a brand new building and is now integrated with all the Council services and is called "A One Stop Shop." This is what we term progress. It has lost that "library" feeling as we knew libraries to be in the past, and has been likened to an airport lounge, with a cafe in situ. There are newspapers and computers, and free internet for those who who wish to use these services.
It does have several book groups running, and a young children's "Rhyme Time" a couple of mornings a week, which is quite well attended. Also there is the "Summer Reading Challenge" for four to eleven year olds, which runs every summer through the school holidays, and for which I am a volunteer.
The library assistants have lost their specific roles, and are now more like receptionists for all the services offered. Such a shame, but at least we still have a library thank goodness.

I have stopped using the library. We used to have a wonderful mobile library and when I was working I could leave my books in the porch and the librarian/driver would take them and change them for me. She always left me a good selection. The powers that be then found out what an excellent service she was giving to us and of course stopped her leaving the van ( it was all of 10 yards). I then started using the library in town which I passed on my way from work and that was fine. After I retired I started using the mobile again but then of course it was withdrawn. At the same time the library in town had its opening hours reduced which do not coincide with my other reasons for going to town (swimming lessons and pilates). I now buy my books from a small charity shop for 25p each, read them and return them to the shop. Much cheaper than paying a library fine !!

Our library is in town, so quite handy we can kill two birds with one stone, shopping and library. We have a knit-and-natter morning once a week, and they have just started once a month a board game morning. Their computer practice and learning is always well attended and the staff are so helpful, it is a pleasure to go there.

The library in our old area was closed down some time ago and really affected our community. My DS was, at one time, the youngest joining member at nine days old. We used it all the time but it didn't stop the council closing it down. Ah well. What's a community as long as there are huge shops like Asda to go to?

I use my local (6 miles away) library about once a fortnight. Mostly for books, sometimes for photocopies. They also have a job club there once a week which I have used recently.They still do children's story sessions.