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

We live not far from the university DH graduated from so he has a card for the university library. We use that a lot.

Bit unfair on our village library but it's not really in a position to compete with a mega-library.

I do but mainly digital services.

Audio books for insomnia nights and long commutes. Also tons of food magazines, through the Libby app via library membership.

I live in a city and my local library is 10 mins walk from my house, I'm very lucky. The staffed hours have been massively reduced in recent years but they have a system of 'extended access' where you can use your library card and PIN to access the library between 8am and 6pm. I was dubious about the safety aspect of this to start with but it seems to be working well.

I browse the shelves but don't often find something that suits, tend to order on the online catalogue instead. Sometimes I go there to do a bit of work on my laptop.

Yes, loads. They’re a great resource and I would hate for them to close. I’m lucky though that I’m on the edge of a large town so my nearest library is pretty big - not sure I would use it so much if it was just a small village one. My only complaint really is that they charge £1.20 for reservations - still (usually) cheaper than buying the book but I know it’s free in other areas.

I would love to use ours more but it’s only open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and we work those days. The online ordering system is clunky and takes ages and then you can only collect on days they are open so again we can’t get there. I think it’s a conspiracy by the council to make it so awkward people don’t use it and they can justify closing it down.

No because its only open 9-2 Monday to Friday.

DDs use their school libraries.

I don't use my local library because the staff are unpleasant.

I use the one in my parents' town instead. Smaller, but so much nicer.

I use Borrowbox which is through my library if that counts?

I buy so many books that I just don’t need to use tne library. I don’t mean I specifically go onto Amazon or the like to search for a book but those charity bookcases in supermarkets, random charity shops I end up in once in a blue moon and receive them as gifts so I have more books than I can read.

Also ADHD means I struggle to get them back in time and I think my library still charges fines.

Yes I use my local library frequently, it's actually one of my favourite places.
There's a really lovely tiktoker librarian from the US he's so worth a follow:
www.tiktok.com/@mychal3ts?_t=8izykGFKayu&_r=1

I use the library close to work as I can pop in easily at lunchtime. If there wasn't one near the office I'd struggle as my local one doesn't open in the evening or much on the weekend.
I think the reduction in opening times does affect those who work and stops libraries being as accessible.
I hardly ever buy books though except second hand. There's not many I would want to read again and again and to me it seems a waste of money when I have such a good library to use.

I use mine for books for the kids but not myself. I have always preferred to buy books for myself (physical books and ebooks).

My 'local' library is in another country. I live on the border between England and Wales. Its a five mile car journey, £5 to park in town and it's not open late in the week anymore. It can't compete with what's available online TBH.

Yes, a lot.

I order books too and often many copies are booked out, so would say must be being used a lot in my county.

One of my book clubs borrows our books from the city library.

With many smaller libraries being used, it is a case of use it or lose it which would be such a shame.

I love my local library. Free books, access to books in other libraries, free WiFi. Loads of online courses. Ebooks and films (also free.) I can just go and sit there and not buy anything and the staff are lovely too.