There's a lot of chat about libraries today

[Pebbles16]

I love libraries. I loved my childhood library and would visit at least weekly; I loved my university library and the city library that helped me study (and got me a very minor role in the "Size of a Cow" video - if you know, you know!). I love my local library which helps me teach literacy to people in my neighbourhood. I love the library at the Barbican and have to build in at least an hour for every time I visit - it's the smell of the books!
I understand that adult social care et al are MORE vital to the community but I despair that libraries are under such threat.
I would ask "why did we ever get to this state?": but I know the bloody 2010-24 answer.
Books are important, community is important. Libraries = books and community

I agree they are fabulous, but they will go the way of everything else over time I bet.

I was in mine today and it seemed well utilised.

someone who used to volunteer at libraries round us told me that they decide which ones will be cut based on book borrowing info, so if you have a local library, the best way to avoid it being on the cull list is to pop in whenever passing, borrow a couple of books then drop them back a few days later even if you haven’t read them. I have no idea if this is true though (or how all areas decide what can be cut)

Well said OP. Libraries are a lifeline for so many of us

Our local library is fantastic. A lovely children’s section, a large area for working/studying, 20p coffees, pleasant staff. Quite a few elderly people spend a lot of time there, chatting and reading. I imagine its company and warmth for them. It would be devastating if it was closed.

I ❤️ libraries.
I lived near 4 different ones when I was child and a member at all of them. We had a period of time when we had little money and my dad and I would go to their late evening opening, sit, read, carry piles of books home. I realised later in life - we were keeping warm.

I still love books.

Libraries let you try out different genres/authors etc. without paying a thing.

They need to be areas where there is poverty and be a real community asset.

A lot of people with the authority to make decisions about budget cuts really have no idea what public libraries do. They seem to see them as antiquated and no longer necessary - "Oh they're just warehouses full of books and people can get cheap books on Amazon now! Plus all the staff do is scan books in and out and put them on the shelves - let's replace them with volunteers!". They've no idea about the work that goes on in the background to keep (physical and digital) collections relevant and accessible, or how much work goes into engaging/supporting communities/individuals, or creating and delivering learning opportunities.

Libraries keep statistics on everything. Footfall, event attendance, book loans, computer usage etc. You are in a constant state of trying to prove your worth (I worked in libraries for a long time, in various sectors).

Public libraries are a statutory service, but I wouldn't be surprised if that status ended up revoked somehow.

In an ideal world, community services such as public libraries would work collaboratively with, say, health and social care, to reduce the strain and maybe even reduce the NEED for certain health and social care services. How many people are in regular contact with health and social care services because they feel isolated and without community or purpose, or whose physical or mental health is declining because of isolation...?