Do you use your local library much?

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Ive recently discovered our local library and I’ve popped in a few times to borrow books but I wondered if anyone else spends more time in their local library than just popping in? I’ve seen a few people in there relaxing and reading books but I don’t know if I’d feel a bit uncomfortable sat there by myself reading for an hour or so?!

I do go from time to time but the library is small. I never just sit and read there no.

Was thinking of going soon and borrowing some Agatha Christie books. There is only a small selection but I could always order a few.

Yes, I do. I borrow books every week. I work out of there sometimes if I get bored WFH. I use the printer when my home printer has stopped working.

However half my library has now been converted to a visa centre!

All the time. I do my printing there (no printer at home), there's free tea and coffee, I like to sit and have a read while the child does the free colouring in and gets her books. I love our library.

We go with the kids (5 and 2) about once a month to our local library and about quarterly we will make a trip to the big library in town too. We usually spend about 45 mins-hr there with them.

I actually use it more for e-books and e-audiobooks.

Yes, I do. I borrow books from there

I use it tons, ordering books as soon as I see them announced.

I don't spend any actual time in it beyond collecting stuff as unfortunately it has an unpleasant smell due to also being a warm winter space.

I used to use it all the time then it downsized and they never seemed to have anything new, I don't use it for ebooks either as I have loads already on my Kindle app.

Yes, our library is lovely. There is always something going on there, talks, activities for pre-school and school age children. In the summer the garden is open and you can sit and read there. Children's painting workshops are held in the garden too.

There are lots of notices about local walks, open gardens, open house visits as well as local events.

I sit in there with my kids, they like to trial all the books before we borrow them.
I don't use it much for myself though but we can spend an hour or two a week there.
Used to be there a lot more when they were babies and toddlers because there were story clubs and things for them

Unfortunately not. I go in every few months, but it's hard to visit more than that, as the opening hours are very limited.

When my DC were a bit younger we used to go weekly for bounce and rhyme and to borrow books. Now they are a bit older we go once a month for Lego club and to borrow books.

No, it's crap. Feels very unwelcoming.
And there are fewer books suitable for my son than on our shelves at home so we don't make the trip for that either unfortunately!

I love the idea of using my local library in theory. In practice though, it's a 40 min round trip in the car, I could only go on Saturdays and they have quite a limited range of books. I tried ordering the one I wanted. The person who put the order through for me didn't seem to have a clue what they were doing, and they never got back to me about it. I haven't been back.

Yes, I use ours all the time. If we have time to kill I'll often go there and read whilst the kids look at books and then read - it is a good way to spend 30-60 mins.

If I'm on my own I tend to go to the cafe attached to the library and read though.

Libraries are my happy places. I use my work one more (especially if I'm working nights and am the only person in there - I feel like a kid in a toy shop😂).

I take my youngest to our local one maybe once every few weeks, while the eldest is at choir practice.

I’ve just spent an hour and a half in there while DH and DC were doing something in the church hall over the road.

I wasn’t even reading their books, I was on my kindle! I did pick up a load of reservations for the DC though. Also spent £1.60 on retired books for the eldest’s classroom library.

Yes we do! Ours is great! We go around twice a month, on a day they have crafts out (which DD1 likes) and toys (DD2 loves them). They have a great selection of books for adults and children, and the people who work there are really nice. My DDs really enjoy going, and they've borrowed books they would never have read otherwise.

Yes. OH and I paid a tenner each to join the Local History / Family Research section, and he always forgets to take his specs.

Yes I spent a lot of time in our local library when I was studying for my diploma. I work better getting out of the house.

I go every couple of weeks now with my little boy to borrow books. Before he started nursery we went every week to book bug.

It's one of the hubs of our community and is very well used.

I use the library app on my phone. My DCs are keen readers and have an ongoing list of books that they would like to read. I request a few at a time on my phone and then do a drop off/pick up of books once a week. It's a great system, and all free.
If I have time, when I am there I will find a corner and read - but it's a rare luxury these days!

Wow @Thingsthatgo your library has an app that's fab!

Yes, i pop in once a month to get some books. Usually i just reserve online to collect.

Pretty much every week with DD. We’ll spend an hour or so in there so she can read, choose which books she wants to take out and do some colouring.

I'm always at work when it's open, but DH (retired) goes at least once weekly.