Do you use the library?

[LegendaryReady]

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

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.

Yep I do this too. And also use their service for ebooks and audio books. I was a kindle subscriber for years but no more!

@TheDistortion I work in the middle of nowhere and even if I was at working from home my nearest is about a 40min walk each way so a bit far for a lunchtime.

We go regularly. My dc go through so many books that I couldn’t afford to keep up otherwise! We also used to go to a weekly group that was held there but it hasn’t restarted post covid.

Yes. Physical books, downloads (books and magazines) and audiobooks (through the Libby app). West Sussex library service so a huge range of resources available.

Yes I take the kids and pick a book up for myself when I go. I also use borrowbox.

@drspouse

You can convert other e-books to Kindle. I didn't tell you that.

@drspouse would love to know how to do this?!

Me too! I didn’t know this.

I used to use the little library room at the leisure centre a lot, but then the hours were slashed repeatedly and now it's volunteer-run so down to about two afternoons so the days of passing by were long-gone even before the Covid disruption. I don't think it's even viable for school children to go in term time, it's that restricted.

I feel very grateful that I live in an area where I have easy access to 5 libraries - 2 main town branches and 3 sub/village. All have now reopened after lock down and it has been wonderful to go in and see familiar faces.
Being able to manage my account on line has meant that I no longer get fines as I am sent an e mail to remind me to renew or return items.
Completely agree that we use it or lose it as speaking to staff all branches record footfall and that has been how opening hours are partly decided.

I’m pretty keen on the library and have been ordering my books for my book club wherever possible. Unfortunately my DD9 has lost a library book and I’m crapping myself about the costs / fines. A friend in a similar position is ashy allowed to buy a replacement she had to pay some ridiculous sum. Overall though it’s a great service - we need to use them because it’s the sort of resource that could easily get cut. My favourite library ever was Croydon which ran over several floors and had an arts cinema and exhibition space.

@Divebar2021

I’m pretty keen on the library and have been ordering my books for my book club wherever possible. Unfortunately my DD9 has lost a library book and I’m crapping myself about the costs / fines. A friend in a similar position is ashy allowed to buy a replacement she had to pay some ridiculous sum. Overall though it’s a great service - we need to use them because it’s the sort of resource that could easily get cut. My favourite library ever was Croydon which ran over several floors and had an arts cinema and exhibition space.

Fines and charges are a pain, but you may be lucky and get someone like me who would look at how old the book was, and not charge you at all if it had had lots of circulation already.

Honestly, be apologetic, and ask for some time to pay, or to pay it in a couple of goes, and they might even let you off.

It's the people who return horribly damaged books without saying anything that we all shake our heads over, or the ones who get cross with us at the charges when we are not the ones who have set them.

Pre Covid we went to the library every week. Now we don’t go at all because it’s not possible to sterilise books and I doubt they’ve been quarantined.

@Boomkin

Pre Covid we went to the library every week. Now we don’t go at all because it’s not possible to sterilise books and I doubt they’ve been quarantined.

Seriously? You must be leading a very limited life with that attitude.

Yes, I do. Our nearest library is particularly attractive or well stocked, but I call in fairly often and am very pleased when I find something I want to read. The last few times I've been, there's been no other users there.

Seriously? You must be leading a very limited life with that attitude.
The government said you could catch Covid from touching things and you needed to wash your hands all the time. Why would they say it if it isn’t true.

@Boomkin

Pre Covid we went to the library every week. Now we don’t go at all because it’s not possible to sterilise books and I doubt they’ve been quarantined.

Oh dear. There was a concern that this might be a primary transmission method at the outset when no one knew anything about the virus, but it's now known to be a small risk, which can be managed by regular handwashing.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/science-and-research/surface-transmission.html

Our library does quarantine books too to be on the safe side.

@KeflavikAirport

Our library does quarantine books too to be on the safe side.

See, I could have understood this in maybe June last year but there have been no cases of COVID transmitted through paper so...

@Dunnowhatalltheacronymsmean look at Calibre.

We used to before they shut during covid and now the children don’t get through the quantity of books the used to we haven’t needed to go back.
I will make an effort to go soon!!

My toddler and I use our local library weekly for toddler rhymetime, we make a day of it and go to the cafe next door after etc. My older ones tend to only use it in school holidays as they are only open sat morning and we are usually busy then. We do the summer reading challenge every year though! My toddler and I are both bookworms so the library saves us a fortune!