to wonder why my friend doesn't use the library?

[LissyGlitter]

My friend posted on a website we both go on, asking if anybody had any roald dahl books they could lend her for a few days as she needs to do a project for her schoolkids (she's a TA) and several people offered one each, so my friend will have to drive round all the local suburbs collecting the books, remember who lent which one, and return them all to the right people. I suggested she just nip to the local library, and she said it was "too much hassle". The mind boggles.

I am shocked at the amount of people who don't use their local library. Why on earth would you not use it? I am the least organised person EVER and I can manage to either return the books within a couple of weeks or nip online and renew them without any trouble, it's completely free, kids don't even have fines, you don't even have to return books to the same library they came from! I didn't even have to provide any ID when I recently joined my local library (I have recently moved house to another council area)

So, what is the excuse for not allowing your kids access to millions of free books? Or even for not allowing yourself them? I enjoy having a huge collection of books (we have just thinned out our collection for moving by about 50%, and still have enough to cover an entire wall of our front room, and we are pretty poor) but I don't want to keep every single thing I read, and there's a limit to the amount of money I want to spend on novels that I'm only likely to ever read once anyway.

The libraries are no longer scary places where a woman in a twinset and a severe bun shushes you, they are fun, friendly places, where your kids will be welcomed and the library assistants and librarians will help you find what you want. If you are not a member or you don't use your membership, go there today!

[VinegarTits]

I dont read books so have no need to go to a library

[HecatesTwopenceworth]

perhaps she has a lot of overdue books and the fine would be more than the cost of petrol?

[stillstanding]

You are quite right, LissyGlitter - libraries are a great and undervalued resource.

I don't use them that much as I actually love owning the books I read (practically a fetish for me) so prefer to buy books if I can afford to.

(VT, you can get audiobooks at libraries now, you know!)

[CMOTdibbler]

I read a lot, have loads of books, as does DS. We don't go to the library as our local one is tiny, DH and I both work full time and so changing books can only happen on a Saturday when we have loads of other things to do.

[VinegarTits]

i'll order online thanks stillstanding

you know i have a phobia of anything paperbacked

[QuintessentialShadow]

We use the library weekly. You are right, it is a fun place!

Our library also have childrens books in many different languages, too!

In addition, the library has dvds, for both adults and children, which is great.

[arolf]

libraries are great - free to use (unless you forget to return your books), normally have an ok selection, and my local one (which I joined at the weekend) is open on sundays too! My other half is delighted that we've joined it, as it will stop me from populating our new house with yet more books from amazon and waterstones

so I don't think YABU!

[Itsjustafleshwound]

I love my local library - always have interesting displays and recommendations ...

The only thing I don't like about our library is their policy on reservations - only have two weeks to read and can't renew - usually the books arrive when there is a heap of things to be done ...

[janinlondon]

Could it be to do with opening hours? I cannot tell you the number of times we've walked to ours only to join the pack on the steps wondering why its not open.....

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Because ours is small and we have to drive 7 miles to get to it and usually can't park in the town.

[stillstanding]

Libraries are also great for children's story-time and for nosing around other people's planning applications

[Maveta]

YANBU I used to go to the library as a kid/teen but got out of the habit at uni and have never really got back into it.

I have taken ds to a couple of libraries as I think they are great for kids but I have to say that for his age group (2) the books are ratty, dirty, and not that good, so it's not a habit we've kept up. We tried to go to story time once but arrived a few minutes late to find they had started a few minutes early and it only lasts 5 mins! How rubbish is that?!

[BettyTurnip]

I owe £38 in outstanding fines (suspect there's been a balls up when I renewed online) - I'm expecting the bailiffs anyday.

I'm reduced to rummaging round the back of the bookcases to unearth stuff I haven't read for years.

Love libraries but it does seem a bit crap that they only do children's story sessions in term time. I need these things to be going on in the holidays when the dc are off nursery and are driving me up the wall.

[Bucharest]

YANBU- I often ask myself the same question..My cousin has 3 small children and sits in front of the television all day with them when there are free clangy-bangy "music" sessions, story time sessions twice a week, a play area, loads of toys, computers, people on hand to show the kids which interesting websites to use.. and of course the books.
I love 'em.

[MaggieBeeBeau]

I occassionally borrow books from the library, but I hate the pressure.

You have to have read it by a certain date. You have to hope you don't lose it or spill coffee on it. You have to read it next, even if another book or magazine catches your eye.

it's pressure. I buy books in charity shops and only occassionally buy a book new if I really want it.

[Jumente]

I hate libraries. I'm speaking as someone whose last job was as a librarian. Horrible, stuffy, noise-restricted and far too WARM and Lissy, I would refute your point about the absense of women in twinsets and buns shushing you!!! If they are not actively shushing they are STILL THINKING it

[Jumente]

I also hate the way that the books have been read by other people. Possibly whilst on a toilet,

yes i know, I am overanxious...controlling...I was a GREAT librarian though!

My mum is a librarian as well. It could well be genetic.

[PortBlacksandResident]

I love the library for me (i'm partial to a nice dry history book) but don't tend to get them for the DSs as they have a ton of books to get through already. Whenever we have been and they've got a few each they sit on the side while they play in the garden / go on the Wii / read their own books / comics.

But now i have library guilt and worry it will disappear if i don't go.

[piscesmoon]

I love libraries-I would find it difficult to manage without them.

[Jumente]

Agh! Port is using her ped egg in the library!

[Jumente]

Remember to shake your book before you take it home. It might have bits of Port's foot in it.

[yappybluedog]

BettyTurnip

Our library is luverly and new and is energy sustainable (or something, I forget) and was opened by HRH Princess Royal!

Hurrah!

[PortBlacksandResident]

[bigchris]

Unless you are buying up to 8 books a week for your dcs surely you are limiting thwir reading by not using the library

And they can choose what they want to read without you having to say 'oh no that's a hardback it's too expensive'

[PortBlacksandResident]

I was actually pro hoof on that thread and don't really have one but combining local library resources and a nice bit of podiatry may attract more people.