I joined the library this week….

[Rainraingoawayrain]

…and honestly, I think it’s one of the best things I’ve done in a long time.

I used to read quite a lot when I was younger but now (early 30s) not so much. I have a kindle but there’s nothing like picking up and reading a physical book.

Anyway, I signed up online and then went in to pick up my card. A really nice man who worked there was so helpful.

I just can’t believe it took me so long. I had a quick browse and I spotted probably at least 10 books that have been on my “to read” list for a while. It’s probably been about 15 years since I last stepped into a public library and now they all have self service machines where you can borrow a book in about 20 seconds and it’s all processed electronically.

And… it’s all free. And there are about 10 libraries I can go to in my London borough. I just wish I had joined sooner.

I took my son to the library yesterday and the librarian commented about how big he’s getting.
I realised that I’ve been taking him at least once a month since he was 3 months old and the library reopened after lockdown.
he’s almost 4. We go in, return the books and he charges off to the kids section with purpose 😂

The library we go to is the same one I went to as a child.
It really does become a home away from home.

I agree with this. Also, I have read some great older books from my local library, but they no longer have them.

When I find a book I really love then I like to have my own copy at home.

Libraries are wonderful, though not as quiet as they used to be.

Somebody needs to buy books if writers are to earn anything at all. There are public lending right payments, but no writer could survive on these alone.

Nowadays don't good writers earn a fair amount doing 'celeb' stuff ? Anyway I couldn't afford to buy all I read so library it is .

Somebody needs to buy books if writers are to earn anything at all. There are public lending right payments, but no writer could survive on these alone.

What an ofd comment.

I buy a book because I want to buy it, not because I'm helping a writer survive.

Libraries have been around a long time now. I don't think they're putting writers out of business any time soon. More like libraries are closing due to lack of funding.

Many of the books sitting on my bookshelves at home have been written by authors that I first discovered through libraries.

Libraries are a fantastic risk free way of letting you take a chance on a new author or new genre of book. I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s bought books by an author after having really enjoyed another of their books that I’d borrowed from the library.

I borrow from the library first. My bookshelves of owned books are typically ones I've read and adored from the library first, or sequels to ones I've already owned.

Some books I love so much I have a paper copy, an ebook copy on my (origional] kindle and an audio book version on my phone.

Great point! I borrowed "The Rose Code" from the library and absoloutley loved it. Subsequently, I bought a paper copy, and then also bought all of the authors other published works. I'll buy any of her new releases as soon as they are published too.

More like celebs earn a fair bit by doing the "writer" stuff <eyes kids' book section in WHSmiths>

"The Librarian" by Allie Morgan is quite a nice read. I got it from the library...

I buy books obsessively despite being a librarian! I just love having a house full of books and I reread them all the time (I have never understood how people can love a book but never read it again). Last month I bought 8 and checked out 12 from work.

Yes, I was going to say this.

I am the only paid "librarian" in my library. But I'm not a librarian really - I don't have a qualification in anything to do with librarianship or information management. And I'm paid for a grand total of 7 hours a week! So I'm only in a couple of hours at a time, a few days a week. All the other "staff" are volunteers and the only training they get is how to use the library systems. Most of my volunteers are excellent but a few are a bit useless. But as we need them to keep the library open and we don't have a line of people beating down our door to volunteer (let alone trained Library staff!) we work with what we've got.

Actually for a lot of writers (not the big famous names) they are on such crap contracts with their publishing house that they make more money from the lending right payment than the sale.

This is exactly what my local library is like, there is so much more to it than borrowing books. They are a huge part of the local community. I was reading a book called The Reading List while sat in the library, which is about a library and people connecting through books. Might sound daft but it felt quite profound.

Signed myself and the kids up years ago and we go at least twice a month to get new books. We are lucky our library also run events in the holidays so we sometimes go to those and I've introduced MIL to the baby groups (as she has my young niece a few days per week and was looking for things to do with her in the winter)

Can't recommend joining your local library highly enough - if you are lucky enough yo have one.

I love our library too. Sadly the closest one is closed due to needing building work done and is likely not to open for a year so we need to get the bus or drive to another one.

I signed my DD up about a year ago. She's 5. It teaches her about borrowing and looking after other people's things carefully. Also means she gets new books every month without us spending a fortune or her bookshelf getting full.

Sounds good, I’ve just ordered it from the library. 😄

Great thread, it prompted me to go and check that my account was still active and see what digital offering there is, before I go to my local library (which is only a few minutes walk from my house). I used to get quite a few books but have to confess that Kindle Unlimited is quite convenient (and doesn't cost anything if you take a free trial).

We have to pay for our reservations, it was £1, not sure what it is now.

Yes I used to do that too. I'd just take a couple of books out and then give them back a few days later. Hadn't been to the library for ages before I read this thread so I will now!

I feel instantly calm when I walk into my library. I go there to sit and read when things get too much for me.
My dcs have always used the library and have been volunteering there too.
Our library does loads of free clubs for kids. All libraries should do that.

That’s exactly how I feel when I go to my local library.

@SirSamVimesCityWatch I'm really surprised volunteers aren't beating the door down to volunteer . I would love to do some hrs but my health is not good .
Really surprised , on the other hand you may have given someone who has a few hrs spare an idea .

Yeah unfortunately not. We have about 30 regular volunteers who staff the library, doing one 4 hr shift a fortnight, so it's not a huge amount of time to commit, but it does need you to be able to do that shift every fortnight without too much flakery. Nearly all of our volunteers are retirees, and mostly women.

We can just about keep the library staffed with that many (we are only open 22hrs/week) but we, like most of the other libraries in our county, are absolutely desperate for volunteers to do the home library service, which is getting together books for housebound users and doing the delivery and collection. We're down to two people on that, and they are in their late 70s.