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How often do you use your local library?

134 replies

Ricekrispiebun · 28/01/2022 22:23

I have only got back into going to the library since lockdown lifted but have been really enjoying it and I always feel like getting new books for free is like a present. Also if I discover new authors, I am then able to buy their books.

Sadly so many smaller libraries have been closing so I hope to keep going regularly becase it would be a shame for such a great service to close

OP posts:
burnoutbabe · 28/01/2022 22:25

Every week,i always have something on loan or reserved. And I use the Libby app to borrow ebooks too.
Luckily I am in the border of 2 London boroughs so access to 2 different ranges.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 28/01/2022 22:28

I would if there was an option here for borrowing ebooks.

hugoagogo · 28/01/2022 22:34

Which library service doesn't do ebooks?! Name and shame!Grin
You could join at a neighbouring authority?

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MotherWol · 28/01/2022 22:34

Every week, I take DD1 to our nearest one once a week to swap her books over, and once a week I take DD2 to a baby group at a different library. Usually pick something up for myself when I’m there. We love the library!

Cindie943811A · 28/01/2022 22:35

I am vulnerable and have severely limited mobility so use the app for my county library. It’s a brilliant system and I’d be devastated if it ceased to function. I use the e audio books constantly and the ebooks occasionally..
I do miss being able to browse the shelves in RL and up until 2019 I’d drop by the library about once a fortnight.
So many brilliant people in the past were self educated by the use of their local libraries. I feel they are an under rated resource.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 28/01/2022 22:36

Its only open weekday mornings. So never unfortunately.

CheshireChat · 28/01/2022 22:38

We go through phases, but I absolutely love our local library and I also go to the central library where you can reserve books from all the other areas as well.

CheshireChat · 28/01/2022 22:39

And borrow ebooks for me, audiobooks for my son and magazines for my mum mainly (through borrowbox and libby)

EdHelpPls · 28/01/2022 22:40

Twice a week - once is more like a social with another family from school. Kids read to eachother etc. Then I take my kids another time and we read a few together. When I had more free time I'd go on my own too while they were at school.
It's always warm and cosy, free newspapers and magazines, free tea, coffee and biscuits (covid restriction dependent), oh and a SAD light box. No obligation to spend any money. Or talk. Perfect!

QuiltedHippo · 28/01/2022 22:41

Once a week with the baby to switch her books, I've plenty of my own books on my to read pile but it's been useful for things like books about weaning- even if it made me realise I'm glad I didn't waste my own money on them!

CoodleMoodle · 28/01/2022 22:41

Once a week, to two different libraries (we're on the border of two counties as well). Sometimes we go to both in one week, depending on how tired the DC are from school/preschool. DD(7) would go every day if she could.

I don't usually get to look at any books myself because I can't trust DS yet (he's only 3), but one day I will again! For now I do borrow eBooks and sometimes grab something interesting on the way out.

MadMadMadamMim · 28/01/2022 22:42

I used to use it every week. Sadly all our local libraries are closed now.

A library bus comes round once a week - 2pm on a Wednesday, when I'm at work 30 miles away. Not convenient.

Orchid18 · 28/01/2022 22:43

I moved abroad 2 years ago, but still use my library to borrow e-books and magazines. It’s a lifeline for me having access to these services. I still have a property in the UK and pay council tax, so I am contributing. I really miss physically visiting my library, I used to go every Saturday morning to pick a few books for the week.

TheDogsMother · 28/01/2022 22:45

@Foxyloxy1plus1 I signed up to the library service locally and it gives access to an app called Libby. It has endless choices of books plus the latest magazines and newspapers.

user1493494961 · 28/01/2022 22:46

Love the library.

MrsIglesias · 28/01/2022 22:48

Often! I love it. I frequently borrow books, I work there often as it's spacious free and quiet. Bloody love a library.

mdinbc · 28/01/2022 22:50

I have all my life gone to the library. It was a haven for me when I was a child with my voracious love of reading, and a once-a-week habit for ages as an adult. I have slowed down my reading the last few years, since being easily distracted on line... but I still go to the library!

Cottagepieandpeas · 28/01/2022 22:53

I’ve been today! I go about once a fortnight. Libraries are so important, I love them.

InTheNightWeWillWish · 28/01/2022 22:53

Our village library is only open part time hours and when I’m at work so before lockdown and WFH I never visited because it was never open when I was home. I joined last year as I was able to visit during my lunch while WFH and I was pregnant and knew I wanted to use for baby books (to try and minimise the repetition of books). However, I hadn’t actually taken a book out until last week. Last week the baby would settle so I googled to see if the library was open, it was and so we took a walk there so DD could fall asleep. I’ll be making as much use of it as I can ok maternity leave and hopefully I can continue with flexible working and be close when the library is actually open.

I do love the library by the way, I think it’s a wonderful service but with cuts to library services it’s hard to visit small, local ones when you’re working full time Mon-Fri. Which creates a vicious cycle.

SartresSoul · 29/01/2022 07:11

1-2 times a month with my DC. We own hundreds of books but it’s still nice to choose some library ones we’ve never read. The staff are lovely too.

Inspectorslack · 29/01/2022 07:22

The library here is only open hours through the week and 10-12 on a Saturday morning. It takes me 35 minutes to get there and I like to chill at the weekend and have some down time so I don’t physically go as I work full time all week.

I use the app though.

onedayoranother · 29/01/2022 07:40

Myself never. But my 16 year old has just asked if there's a local one she can go to so I guess I'll go with her today.
Growing up (70s) the library was of course a huge resource and went regularly.
When my kids were small I went to a local bookshop for story time and they got plenty of reading books from school, and we had quite a collection too.

TheChosenTwo · 29/01/2022 07:43

Never! I’ve never been a library member I don’t think.

YetAnotherWalk · 29/01/2022 08:01

Regularly - once or twice a week - for children.

maudmadrigal · 29/01/2022 08:49

I decided to stop buying books on amazon last year. I've funded it by using the library a lot more, buying less books but buying them from bookshop.org or our local bookshop. Should have done it years ago!

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