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Original poster

Do you use the library?

95 replies

LegendaryReady · 08/09/2021 08:35

I've always been a big fan. I went weekly throughout my childhood and then did the same with my DC. Both my DC pulled up to standing for the first time using the wooden boxes the library has the tot's books in Smile

However, even I got sucked in by the Kindle and haven't used the library since I stopped taking DC. I also became disappointed at the increasingly limited range of books at my local library, I suppose as they faced reducing demand.

The Kindle makes sense in that it's light, small, if I fall asleep I don't lose my page! But it is somehow less satisfying than using an actual book and the cost of all those just a few pounds purchases does add up, compared to a free library service.

I've recently rediscovered it and it's like having a free Amazon account! You can order books from any library, anywhere, place them on hold and when they're available, they're delivered to the local library for collection. All free. Maybe it's just me who didn't know, but how good it that?

When I see book recommendations, I add them to my hold list and the vast majority turn up within days. You get three weeks and can renew online if you need longer.

Anyway a revelation for me, every book in print available for free and east too. Use it or lose it though.

OP posts:
NerdyBird · 08/09/2021 09:18

Yes, I use the library. I take my dd too, and my husband often borrows cookbooks. I use the library ebooks more sporadically as they seem to constantly change their ebook service and just as I get used to one app it changes! I love libraries. I haven't got the money or space to buy as many books as I'd like. We used it through the pandemic too, once we were allowed.

confusedofengland · 08/09/2021 09:20

In our libraries (Essex) I'm pretty sure you can access the ancestry sites for free. Also, our groups including Rhyme Time have started back up (I am going to be leading one 😱), but you need to pre-book as spaces are limited (8 families for village libraries, 15 for the city one). All our other services are also back to normal.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 08/09/2021 09:20

I am a volunteer for our library service. I deliver library books to people who are housebound. I have two people I visit at the moment, I go and see them monthly to swap over the books and they are really grateful. If anyone is visiting a library regularly then I would encourage them to think about volunteering in this way. It really doesn't take up very much of my time - I work full time and it's perfectly doable.

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Margo34 · 08/09/2021 09:20

I love our local library, signed my 11m old up as soon as it re-opened in July and go every 2vweeks now! It has a fabulous café too, it's a proper outing.
I also took my class there on a school trip precovid, they loved it and each got to check out a book to take back to school. So many of them had never been to a library before which made me sad, but I loved seeing the joy on their faces for their 1st visit.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 08/09/2021 09:22

This is why I have a Kobo rather than a Kindle.

The library e-reader service is great but not compatible with kindle e-readers.

I find enough on the library service that I rarely buy books. I borrow physical books occasionally if I want to borrow something specific and that is the format it is in but mostly I use the digital services.

burnoutbabe · 08/09/2021 09:22

My local library was free reservations for last year and now it's back to 60p.
I am lucky, I live on the border of 2 London authorities so have 2 library cards and access to tons of libraries.

I also use Libby, the library app and read so much in lockdown.

Libraries now open most days but never Wednesday which is usually the day I want to go as usually free then! Even open Sunday afternoons!

teacake89 · 08/09/2021 09:31

Since covid I haven't used my library as much as I would like to have done. I agree with others though, it's a brilliant amenity and it's sad to see so many closing.

I have a kindle fire and have just cancelled my kindle unlimited subscription in favour of using the ebooks the library offers. I downloaded an app called overdrive which syncs to my library account and makes it possible to read .epub format.

Clutterbugsmum · 08/09/2021 09:41

Not anymore, as they have closed the big library that was on our side of town. Now we have a tiny one which is only open on a Monday between 11am and 2pm.

There is one in the town centre but it not easy to get to from our side town you need to get 2 buses which run at different times.

ursuslemonade · 08/09/2021 09:42

I couldn't wait for the library to open last year a few months after first lockdown. It was a reserve and collect service but it was very useful as my kids love books and I borrow them weekly. It's incredibly important that they stay open.

Sonofabiscuit · 08/09/2021 09:50

I love the library and try to vist regularly.
Not sure if it's just where I am in south West but , if a member you can take books from any library within alarge area .
Also have a kindle I love but do still love to actually hold a book.

poolblue · 08/09/2021 09:57

I use BorrowBox and Libby via my library service and they are both brilliant. So many books to choose from and I also love flicking through the glossy magazines that I won't pay £5 for. I haven't stepped foot inside my library for years but after reading some of the comments here I will get back into the habit.

Londonnight · 08/09/2021 10:01

I use the Borrowbox library app on my tablet. Discovered this during first lockdown when libraries were closed and I couldn't afford to keep buying books.
It works really well, similar to Kindle, with a vast amount of books to borrow. You get 21 days, about the same as a physical library, but can renew for longer if you want.

SeriouslyISuppose · 08/09/2021 10:01

@parentalhelpline

Even using your library in person a little bit makes a difference. We have to count people numbers every day, so even if you just bring the children in to read them a book for a few minutes and don't borrow anything, it improves our statistics.

And middle-class people who can afford to buy books using libraries help to keep them open for those who can't, and who need the books, information, internet access, and human contact that libraries provide.

That’s kind of my position. I bring in DS a lot, despite having more books than we have room for at home.
purpledagger · 08/09/2021 10:02

I have the Libby app from my library and love that I can access books and magazines for free. I think it's a great service.

I also do the summer reading challenge with my children, as they like getting the pack and certificate.

Otherwise, I don't really go to the Library to borrow physical books. The Library is only open when I'm at work.

Viviennemary · 08/09/2021 10:02

No I don't. I got caught out by a ridiculous fee for late books so don't bother now.

HollowTalk · 08/09/2021 10:03

I borrow tons of books every week on my library app on my kindle. It's great to be able to read a few pages and throw a book back if I don't like it.

MilesJuppIsMyBitch · 08/09/2021 10:05

We don't any more, because the DCs have 'lost' all their library books, (during a period when I was very ill), & tbh I can't afford to pay the fines.

We're just not organised enough.

MinesAMassiveSalad · 08/09/2021 10:05

I've just gone back as restrictions have lifted. Ours opens on Saturday mornings so is accessible. I used a library at least weekly when I was at home with young children and generally I just love libraries.

Sonofabiscuit · 08/09/2021 10:10

Also ours has a system so you can enter the library out of hours up to a set time .
You sign up for it and they give you codes etc..,friend uses it as easier around work .

Chikapu · 08/09/2021 10:14

I use BorrowBox on my tablet for both ebooks and audiobooks, I haven't borrowed a physical book for years.

BiddyPop · 08/09/2021 10:29

DPs brought us weekly to the main library in the city (25 miles away) and I would get 3 new books weekly. I kept using it, even when in Uni in that city, until I graduated and moved to the city I live in now. I have used the library here a bit - but less so as I have a lot less time to read.

DD and I both have cards for our local one though, and I have just got my 1st set of books again 2 weeks ago in about 3 years, and am enjoying wading through them. There are 2 decent libraries near our house, and there is a lot of choice around the county of books they can get in for you.

Mumoblue · 08/09/2021 10:33

I took DS to the library for the first time last week. Got him 3 books, and I’m planning on going weekly. I want to encourage him to read for fun and I hope the novelty of new books will help. He’s only 20 months old but he loves books at the moment.

Tal45 · 08/09/2021 10:33

I can read the library ebooks on my kindle, I read 'The Handmaids Tale' on hols. They changed provider and changed to a rubbish one - RBDigital - so I didn't use the service for a while but now they've reverted to the original one again (Overdrive) and it's much better.

parentalhelpline · 08/09/2021 11:00

@MilesJuppIsMyBitch

We don't any more, because the DCs have 'lost' all their library books, (during a period when I was very ill), & tbh I can't afford to pay the fines.

We're just not organised enough.

@MilesJuppIsMyBitch

Your local librarians may be grumpier than we are, but we would always rather keep the customer than have the money.

It might be worth going in and explaining that you can't pay but would like the children to be able to borrow books again. If you don't have lots of form for racking up huge fines, they may waive it, or at least suggest ways you can pay it off gradually.

The people we get stroppy with are those who are always asking us to waive fines (and we can see the history on the account) or who argue like mad over 25p (always the seemingly well-off).

Lots of people are too embarrassed to come and pay their charges, even if they are quite low amounts, and I explain that we are never cross with them for borrowing our books - and the fines help keep the library open, so we don't mind taking them!

parentalhelpline · 08/09/2021 11:03

I sometimes ask people an amount they think they can afford, and then reduce the charge accordingly.

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