Do you use your local library? If not why not?

I searched around 9.30 and got results going back to around 2015 (I think) but now nothing comes up. It's very strange. I think I remember them too - a friendly and kind poster?

Well I guess that some people are burning through the new RO in two days, but rather fewer are doing that with Prophet Song.
My libraries have 3 out of 13 of the new RO available. All 5 copies of Prophet Song are out. So matching your back of the envelope numbers very closely but I don't think there's a wait list for Prophet Song (mind you the Bookers were a while ago).

At our library when something like the new Richard Osman comes in we purchase 40 copies for the county but we can have 600 on the wait list . A book can sit on the reserve shelf for two weeks and then the customer gets it for three weeks so it can be five weeks before it gets moved on to the next customer. So yes it can take ages for popular books to become available.

Yes, that's what happens at ours. Though, it does seem that books on the booker prize shortlist or similar seem to only have five copies and a long wait list, while they have three times as many copies of other popular new fiction and a third of them on loan.

No, I don't use our local library because it's only available 9-5 and I work 8.30-5! Besides I just buy my books from either Tesco or Amazon and put them on the Tesco second hand book shelf when I'm done with them.

At our library when something like the new Richard Osman comes in we purchase 40 copies for the county but we can have 600 on the wait list . A book can sit on the reserve shelf for two weeks and then the customer gets it for three weeks so it can be five weeks before it gets moved on to the next customer. So yes it can take ages for popular books to become available.

I live in a different county to the one I work in I'm a library member at both.
The county I work (which is a small county) in has around 15 libraries plus several mobiles, all paid staff plus relief cover. The libraries offer many services above books.
The county I live in is a much larger county so the libraries are managed on a city basis. The city I live in has three libraries that pay staff. The rest are volunteer run. They struggle to get newer books/stay open/offer additional services.

It's a shame the fate of libraries is really down to the local council.

I used to use it all the time when I was younger.

Then I got a kindle.

I assume not, given I'm not sure what you're asking! I have been here for probably a decade under a variety of usernames, most ending in 23 for no reason other than it's more likely to be free that way.

Edit: sorry forgot to quote @Ulysees

I didn't know that. I thought you could only join in the county you live in.

Not as much as we did when dd was young. I strongly prefer ebooks for most fiction reading and our local has a very limited service for that. I do use the library for cookbooks, craft books, non-fiction, music, and dvds.

DH on the other hand is there 3 times a week at least.

@CoffeeWithCheese if you’re in the UK, you can join any public library in the country - you don’t have to live in the area! I work in a library and often have this conversation with customers, it seems to be a widespread belief that it’s not allowed.

There are relatively few books compared to a few years ago and almost never anything I want for me or for the kids. It's insanely loud and full of uncontrolled children screaming/riding the book trolleys etc whilst staff beam at them because they encourage kids "acting like kids".

We have cards so we can use audiobooks online.

They're currently consulting to tender the library contract and I desperately hope the current cic retain it, they're fab.

We lost late night opening over COVID but better than losing Sundays.

Papillon, I'm very jealous your library is open on a Sunday!

Yes, every Saturday we trudge to the library as they have a quiet study room where dc do their homework (no space at home). Generally there is no one else there, so we stop after an hour get a drink from the cafe, and then do another hour or two (dd yr 10 so quite a bit of homework).

Another East of England dweller here with fabulous libraries: open Saturday and Sunday, can post books back through the door any time, free reservations from any of the county's stocks.

Tea and coffee is 20p.

They do an amazing job on a shoestring, including crafts etc.

I do a mixture of ebooks that I buy, Libby eBooks, and library books, as well as borrowing from friends and occasionally buying a real book.

I rarely find a book I want on the shelves of my local library but I don't expect to - in order books in.

They'll also purchase recommendations but that's usually about 6 weeks from start to finish so unless it's a whole series I'm generally too impatient and just buy it.

Every week at least once, often twice.

We don’t anymore unfortunately.

It’s only open 12-3 Tuesdays and Thursdays and every 3rd Saturday from 10-12. The website is never updated so trying to work out which Saturday is the open Saturday is impossible (it changes with bank holidays and staff holidays)

The primary school DD goes to has a book swap cupboard that folks donate books to and she uses that.

I used to, but it’s now only open when I’m at work.

Yes, love it. I currently have 20 library books out.

I've got two within easy walking distance and another two a short bus ride away that I regularly go to for other reasons. They're open at weekends and until 7pm some days, so no trouble to visit. They're always very good for new "buzzy" books.

I used them for reading all the Slough House series last year, but at the moment I've got a huge backlog of books to read that I got for Xmas or picked up for free from tube station book shelves so don't need to hit the library for a while.

I don't even know where it is ?
How embarrassing, moved less than 2 years ago but no excuse.
Plan joining and going for a mooch soon !