Are Libraries still relevant?

I think our libraries are safe for a while as we’re a labour council which tends to value community services.

It was a Labour county council that closed our village library. They got booted out in the last local county elections, and the subsequent Tory council re-opened it.

Our local libraries ( lucky enough to live in walking distance of three) are pretty well used. When I was in last week, I was picking up two books I had ordered that cost too much on Kindle ( free to order here) and happened to see another one that I’d been hoping to read for ages.

There were people of all ages on the computers, a few mums in with toddlers sharing books with them, (exactly what I used to do 25 years ago. No way I could have afforded to buy the wide range of books my children had access to,) some people on easy chairs reading the papers as well as some just browsing the books like me. Later on, the school kids will be in for homework club and there are a few clubs throughout the week, knit and natter etc. It’s also the place I go to to find out what’s on in the community.

I also download books and talking books but I suppose that is a part of the library service that could continue if the physical buildings are shut down.
I think our libraries are safe for a while as we’re a labour council which tends to value community services.

I can’t imagine a world without libraries. They offer community and access to knowledge, understanding and education for all. I suppose those things are less valued now by some, but when I was little, nearly 60 years ago, that was crucial and for some today it still is.

wonderful places, my earliest memories are being taken to the library by my mother.

I've been using my local library of late, since I've started listening to audio books to get myself off to sleep, I wouldn't want to buy them, quite expensive. I also pick up crime novels for my husband whilst I'm there, he goes through books like wildfire. We buy quite a few books and tried to donate, once read good condition books to the library, but ours don't accept donations

I use the library weekly with my children. We also download ebooks and audio books. There is an app for downloads so borrowing takes seconds on a kindle fire or Android tablet, no need for a laptop!

Our library is always busy.

I would love to take DD to a library as she gets through a book a week and never reads anything twice. Our local library's in a secondary school and only open during school hours, so DD can't go.

I don't borrow physical books from the library now. They used to give you 4 weeks, then reduced it to 3. I was always getting fines because I couldn't remember when they were due back/never set a calendar note etc. I worked out it's cheaper to buy books from Amazon, when I want one. Amazon also do a lot of free/cheap books too.

The only reason I'm still a member of the library is for the free ebooks.

I frequently see staff in my library tutoring older people on the basics of using computers & getting online. For many, this is probably the only place they can get that support and therefore not be excluded from so many things we need to be online for nowadays.

More & more libraries also seem to be sites for community groups eg stitch & knit, bounce & rhyme etc. & I’m not sure where any such similar provision would sit so well.

And that’s BEFORE I even get onto the books.......(couldn’t manage without for DD).

LOVE libraries & they should be just about sacred.

I borrow a couple of books a month from my local library.

I absolutely love it. It's small, run by two friendly and efficient women (who don't seem to mind my toddler charging around).
I would cry if they closed it, I really would.

I love my local library. My previous job was so busy that I didn't have the headspace to read nor the time to go to the library. I've now got one closer to home and try to go into the library every couple of weeks. Reservations are free, and I also use their eAudiobook service, and their eMagazi es service.

My council tried to close them all down. They've turned them into a community charity instead, partially funded by the council. They offer all their services free, but you can also pay to be a member to help them out. I haven't yet, but I really need to.

I've just started going back to the library. I've joined two local ones. I have a Kindle but I love an actual book ( you can't flick to the end on s Kindle ). The best thing is there's a stack of books I want to read and don't have to pay for them! To be honest I'd happily pay a fee per book if it meant the libraries could keep going. On of our local ones has a lego club, my dc enjoy going and enjoy choosing books. It's a real shame so many are being forced to close.

yes, absolutely relevant.
I have many, many complaints about our local library service, not least that they've shut all the branch libraries in the borough, leaving just four main libraries. However the one thing they do get right is that they invest regularly in new and relevant stock, and reservations are free. I am a keen reader (approx 50 books annually plus cookery, travel and other reference books) and there's no way I'd be able to read as much without a half-decent library service.

I joined the subscription book service scribd a while back, and since then have barely stepped foot in a library. I pay $9 a month and they hav a huge choice of books, better than my local library, no maximum download either.

I do love libraries though and I realized that they have to adapt to stay relevant, but at the same time I miss when they used to be much quieter than they are now.

I go to my local library about twice a week, and visit other branches in the same borough about twice a month. We’re lucky in our borough; we have an excellent online catalogue and reservations are free. Our library is pretty busy, as it’s open 7 days a week, and aside from those picking out books, there are lots of people using the computers, reading the papers or students using the place as a quiet area for study. You don’t get many places that are open to and used by all ages in the community.

Our local council closed our village library a few years ago. I was heavily involved with a community group who were intending to take it over and run it on a voluntary basis. We got loads of really good ideas to re-purpose it more as a community hub, and lots of income-generating ideas too and we put together a very convincing business plan. In the end, the council decided to re-open it, so our ideas/plans came to nothing. We've tried talking to the council about whether they could incorporate some of our plans to make it more relevant to the community and less reliant on council funding, but they're completely opposed to it being anything other than a traditional old-fashioned library. So, we're all just treading water and waiting till they close it again so that we can take it over.

Libraries have had to move with the times to survive.
I'm 50 and remember the days when librarians would hush you. It's lovely to see how family friendly they are now, with rhyme time for babies and toddlers and free craft sessions in the holidays.
It's also nice to see the hot drinks and newspapers, and the computers for people to use, plus a large selection of audio books.
Ours is free to order titles, and because I'm a carer, I don't get charged for having overdue items.
I have a houseful of books and I'm not buying any more, even from charity shops.
I think libraries are a fabulous free resource, and I wish more people would use them.
If there was one thing I'd like to see it would be Sunday opening, but I guess that's never going to happen.

Honestly I think libraries need to be seen a lot more as community spaces with lots of books than just somewhere you go for a book. I suspect a lot of people don't realise all the things a lot of libraries do.

Do you all borrow real books or ebooks? Just over half the libraries in my county are ear marked for closure according to the letter I got with the consultation so there must be quite a few people not using them.

Libraries aren't just about books. I go to our local library for events, groups, art exhibitions, concerts and just to sit and work. There are quite a number of community groups who are based there and also a lot of adult classes run at the library. They are also a place for people to access the internet, work and study. I rarely borrow books but I use the library a lot.

Secondly libraries get closed because they rarely make money and councils are starved of funds right now. Borrowing books doesn't make an income. The smaller libraries that stay open tend to be the ones that are able to put on events or classes that sell tickets or bring in external funding. This is hard for the really small ones that don't have the space, though I know some that have put in movable shelving to make the space more flexible for community events.

Our library is so much more than just a place to borrow books. Young mums take toddlers the storytime, youngsters have a quiet place to do their homework, free internet and computer use attracts lots of people. I love libraries.

I love libraries! I am lucky because all the libraries where I am are linked, so I can borrow a book in the city I work in, and return it in the town I live in 45 miles away, and vice versa. This makes it much more convenient for me. I read around 4 books a week so couldn’t afford to buy them all. The library also encourages me to try new things - I spot them browsing and as it won’t cost me anything I give them a go, whereas I might not try them if there’s a cost involved. The only downside is that my libraries charge £1 to reserve something which I think is expensive, so I tend not to bother doing that.

I use mine a lot. I like reading, but can't afford to buy books regularly. I'm lucky in that my library doesn't charge for reservations, so I often reserve what I want.

Most libraries these days let you logon with an eReader and borrow books straight to the device

The computers for use is vital for so many members of the community- we have people who have to come in regularly to sort their universal credit, do their banking etc it’s pretty relevant for them.

People learning English are able to borrow books frequently to build upon their skills, it’s really useful for them.

Unfortunately money in all areas of local government is really really tight- to get a reserved book involves staff and travel and the payment helps the service to continue.

The other model would be to pay a bit towards membership each year but I think that might put people off even more.

There just isn’t enough money and it’s really sad because libraries do so much good in my opinion.

I love books and reading, I practically grew up in libraries, but I rarely use the library anymore

With a toddler I just find I have less brainspace and time for reading generally, and I read a lot of classic literature all of which is free on my Kindle, and downloads in seconds so much more convenient.

I did go a few times for the childrens books, but toddler books are 10p in our charity shops and then I don't have to worry about returns or if the toddler tries to rip it/eat it... If it wasn't a major bus trip to get to the library it might be worth it for rhyme time etc, but not as things stand.

Yes! I use my local libraries regularly for myself, and used to frequent it when my DS was small, both to get books and to attend story session etc.

When I go to my lovely cosy local library there are always teenagers studying, older people chatting or knitting, and maybe people who can't afford heating just hanging out. This is in an affluent area.
The other library, in a less affluent area, is equally as busy, with people getting books,using the computers etc. Libraries are totally needed. They're a community space that isn't driven by profit.

I went to the library today. It’s a very nice little library (well furnished, lovely building etc) but a complete waste of good space. It would rather it was nice cafe of something. The majority of the adult books are coffee table shit or erotica (wtf?) and the kids book selection is nothing special. I only stopped by because we were next door and I though DS might enjoy reading s book for a bit.