Do you use your local library? If not why not?

[Ulysees]

We're lucky enough to have a good library in our village. It's open Thursday to Saturday.

I use it pretty regularly. Order books online usually.

I rang today as a book I want isn't available and the librarian said she'll request the library buy it in. It's the Julia Child book My life in France. So there won't just be me borrowing it.

I do buy books too. I just think it's a shame more don't use their library. They'll be gone one day.

No. Closed most of our local ones, the ones that stayed open had their hours massively reduced so impossible to use if you work.

I did when I lived in a naice commuter town, it was open every day (even Sunday). I used it loads for books, printing, photocopying. Such a shame only certain areas are thought worthy of having a library. I practically lived in the (now closed) one that was 5 minutes walk from me.

Yes! We've been this morning. I do my printing there too. You can get tea and coffee and it's lovely.

Not anymore. I used it loads when my DC were younger and would get books for me too. I’m reading more online now.

I once got a book from the library with a massive dried bogie on a page. Never again I'm afraid.

No because it's full of local youths being very loud and intimidating. They regularly cause a lot of disruption and damage, the police often are called. I feel sorry for the staff.
It's a real shame because it's lovely and new and also has the health centre in it.

I use the library and so do my children. One goes to a lego club there and I take the wee one to book bugs. We all regularly borrow books.

I use mine for DDs book. I don't really read for pleasure. Last time I tried I took a book out and had it nearly 30 weeks when I returned it unread.

A lot of these comments ate focusing on books - when libraries are usually so much more.
They are a rare place where you can go and sit and be under no obligation to spend money.
I often use one (as I said upthread) as a place to go and charge my phone. I often go to one near my daughter's school and I sometimes go there before I pick her up and as well as charging my phone I sometimes take crafts to do (like cross-stitch) and I sit, craft and people watch. There's always loads going on. People working away on the computers. Some people go there to have one on one sessions with a tutor or support worker - as it's a free place to go it's good as a place to meet.
There was a knitting group there recently of more mature ladies - their conversation was fascinating. Like a soap opera of the people they know 😂
Oh and I love it when it Rhyme Time for the babies - I love to hear their singing.

£6.50? Wow! It costs me 50p and I get two weeks to collect it. I can pay when I pick it up or when I return it.

I can hardly believe the people who say they can't remember to return books. What do you do about doctor's appointments etc? Put an alert on your phone or get a physical calendar or diary.

Yes, I use my local library.
They have cut the opening times but are open until 5.30 3 days a week and until 12.30 on a Saturday morning and they also have extended opening hours with a self service machine when there are no staff.

I usually walk there with the dog on a Saturday morning to return/collect any books and I will also use them for books on Borrowbox.

All the libraries in my (large) city share resources so they have most books you would ever want. If they don't have a book and they think it'll be popular, they will order it in for you. It's all free and a fabulous service.

It's not as busy as it once was, following COVID though. But I think a lot of people use the online requests now too.

Yep love my library. Started using it again after having my daughter. Very lucky to have a few near where I live. I love you can order books in from the website!

I just wish there was a drop off point for when it's not open as the hours are very short but if I'm passing would be great to just drop them off at any time

The large library in the town centre has that. Also just as you can reserve a book from anywhere in the county you can return it to any library.

Because it doesn't seem to be a place to borrow books from anymore. Need to use a computer? Yes. Need a children's book reading session? Available. Want a cup of coffee? There you go. Need to research some subject with good books as resources? No can do.

Yes I've started going to our local one recently as I read books too quickly to buy them, I'm spending a fortune. The kids love going as well.
It doesn't sound as fancy as some of these ones though - I wish I could order books online as sometimes I struggle to find the books I like as non fiction are ordered by author not genre.
We can renew online though which is handy!

I use my library all the time. I think we are lucky and they are quite accessible. There are a couple in local leisure centres so they are open 7am-9pm just about every day.
(Some self service some manned hours)

In the stand alone libraries they are introducing access outside staffed hours. I think you get a code or something to go in - I assume they maybe have cameras or something not sure as I haven't tried out yet!

Means it's open later into evenings and also on Mondays when it was traditionally closed.

My library doesn’t have late fees, and they automatically renew your books for you, up to about a year I’d say, unless you have an in demand book, You get 3 weeks for books usually. They also have a book drop at the front door, so you can return your books any time you like. All notifications are by email.

They also have free passes to all the major museums in the city that allow 2 adults/2 children free general admission. I used those all the time when my kids were little.

I'm a member of the queens public library in the US. It means I can get library books straight to my Kindle.

It might be staffed entirely by volunteers these days.

For those who cannot remember to return books..my library has an app..its so easy to renew books on. They send emails out to remind you. If you have a particular difficulty..like adhd your library will probably be sympathetic....there are many categories of borrowers that won't incur fines. Just ask.

I use the e-book borrowing service. Don’t go to the library itself as it’s never quiet any more - most days they have some kind of community activity on, which is great for the people who want that but not great for those of us who want peace and quiet from libraries.

Big London borough so a great choice of libraries (8 or 9). The most local is yards away, and although it's mostly a (wonderful) children's library there is some adult stock and you can order things in. I go about once a fortnight.

They do so much for kids at my local one. Lego afternoon, stories, drawing club etc. It's often busy.

Use them or lose them I say. Losing them would be terrible.

Yes I love the library. I signed DD up when she was a tiny baby and we spent many happy afternoons in there. It's really easy to order books and the staff in there are lovely and like old friends. I also met my current book group through the library and they are very good friends now.

I work in a library. It's fantastic, as well as all the books on the shelves, we can request books from other libraries in our county free of charge, we can also request the library service buy books in. Customers can reserve books to collect at a later date. We have an app and website people can use too. Plus two download apps for reading on a device and accessing magazines and newspapers. All of which is free.
We have fiction, non fiction, local history, teen, junior, learn to read, junior non fiction, picture and board books. Spoken word, audio, e books, cd, large print, dyslexia friendly.
We run a toddler group, book club, games club, singing group, local history group, gardening group, craft group, lego group, local walking group, tech support.
We have computers, iPads, free Wi-Fi , device charging.
We are classed as a warm place and can provide hot drinks and snacks to anyone considered vulnerable.
We can provide free sanitary products to females.

And probably more I've forgotten! I also find books for customers I know they will enjoy based on reading preferences.

Libraries are amazing and the only thing that will keep them running is customers.

@autienotnaughty do you have quiet times at all? That’s the one thing that would get me back to using my local library