Library obsession.

[Coldicote]

One hears a lot about libraries being closed or combined to save running costs. Apart from study in the course of my work I've never been a book fan and don't read for pleasure. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I tend to regard libraries as an obsession, especially fiction. What do you think of them and are those masses of books really beneficial?

[rowanwitch]

I love libtaries... I can't manage e books as they hurt my eyes and I get all sorts out... recipes, hobbies and crafts as well as using it as a chance to try out new authors or to read a back list ... access to all those titles for free often with a coffee shop attached to the larger ones, what's not to like

[VHG]

Libraries are much more than just books.

To me they are centres of learning for a whole range of topics on a whole range of media.

My large local library has books of course, but also newspapers and magazines, CDs, DVDs, a local history section with historic maps of the area, a computer section with PCs for anyone to use and so on.

They also have a huge notice board with details of all the local clubs and societies.

In some ways they are like mini-universities for the "general public".

I would be sad to see them go.

[jamesnan]

I always have at least 10 books from the library, usually fiction but not always. I am a very quick reader, and never read a book twice, so it would be a waste of money for me to buy books. Rarely use the CD or DVD section, and we have our own computer, but would be lost without the library.I read every single night for at least half and hour before bed.

[woofgang]

Got to say that I never use the local library :-( I get my recipes off the internet and they don't have the fiction that I want. In principle I support them and think that one of the problems with "Yoof" today is that there isn't so much for them to do and they haven't been taught to use what there is. As a child/teenager, I used to live at the library.

[bednobs]

Hi, i think a lot of people DO use the library. Our local one is a bit more like a community centre and people can go there for a cheap cup of tea or just to get warm too. There is a significant "underclass" of people who are disadvantaged by not having access to the internet from home, and use the free internet at local libraries. Another one near us does singing (nursery rhymes and such) for babies and toddlers, and is seen as a great meeting place for mums. Whenever we have a significant consultation at work, we have drop-in sessions in local libraries - its a great way of contacting people who might otherwise be overlooked. When i was a student i was so pleased to be able to got here to complete my essay and email it in when my laptop broke. Plus, when i was a bit more broke than i am now, i used to borrow books too :)

[rowanwitch]

And where would the young Asian girls go to meet boys... its really cute the girls turn up with their female friends to 'study' and spend all their time flirting with the lads... well nothing immodest happens in a library does it..

[Coldicote]

A whole lot of interesting views here; many thanks. Fiction seems to me just a product of imagination - OK if you enjoy it. I only know a village library, in a relatively small room, that doesn't have the various facilities mentioned here.

[shaneystar2]

I'd be lost without my local library which was a Carnegie library.
I get through at least three books a week.
I read fiction . Mostly crime fiction :) Love to lose myself in a book and as mentioned by jamesnan hardly ever read a book twice .On a pension buying books would be silly and just lumber up the groaning shelves I have already.
Our library service in my area is great .I can manage my account and reserve all the latest books on line .
Our library has computers ,cafe and a book club ,also facilties for youngsters and mums to do reading and playing .
Closure of libraries is so wrong .I've been a member of a library since I was a child and used to haunt them to get my Just William fix :)

[jno]

ours always seems to be full with people of all ages. So obviously the council plan to close it.

[maggiebee]

Been a member of a library since I was about 5 - read every Enid Blyton book ever printed lol. Love to get lost in a book though nowadays into Swedish writers - got a taste of this from the Stieg Larsson books. Must admit to buying more than I borrow these days, but no everyone can afford this. Lots of pensioners I know keep warm by going to the library to read all the daily newspapers and meet friends.

[andy-hughes]

I adore libraries.

When i go in what was my local library which i joined when I was seven, I can still feel the same excitement, and notice the off-kilter angles of the building caused by the fact that i am twice the height now that i was then.

I only miss the silence and feeling of silent enjoyment which very few libraries have these days - public silence seems to be a thing of the past.

[atalanta]

You need to explain what you mean by libraries being an "obsession". Then you had better explain if you mean only Public Libraries, and not School, College, University libraries and those of special institutions such as the Fire Service College or the British Medical Association. I am a Librarian, and in all my career I have met vast numbers of readers, but never yet a single one who is "obsessed" by libraries. Some people borrow because they are poor, some because they are too mean to buy books, some because they just love books, some who are too shy to join social groups may prefer borrowing books, some pensioners spend time in Libraries to save heating their own homes. Some people do research on local history, such as the history of their houses, streets, villages or ancestors. I have never met a reader who thinks this country would be better off without Libraries. Just look at the terrible fuss people make if there is a proposal to shut their nearest Library. Almost as bad as shutting their hospital.
be honest, do you think this country would be better off without Libraries ?

[paddywak]

I never realised just how many people use our local library till they shortened the hours it's open. When ever you go in now they're always busy, Julie one of the girls says just as many people use it but now they all come in at the same time.

[shaneystar2]

Good post atalanta and thank you for being a librarian.
You do a good job .
You're not that dishy man in my local library by any chance are you ? .....hahaa.

[Coldicote]

No, I'm not saying the country would be better without libraries. I can appreciate needs of 'special institutions', study and research, having been in that situation myself, but it seems to me there are masses of books that don't serve any real purpose.

[karenmac60]

'Don't serve any real purpose'? What on earth does that mean? Lots of things don't serve any real purpose yet they still exist. However, books which enrich people's lives, let them experience things they could never imagine through others eyes, inspire and educate them - that is a purpose, is it not? Having worked in libraries for 21 years, I can say that libraries do so much for so many. As has been said, they are not just books - as well as all the things previously mentioned, we run activities for children through the school holidays - arts and crafts, author events, visits from wildlife groups who bring in various creepy crawlies for the kids to see, learn about and handle etc, we have a readers group, a writer's group, a baby clinic, regular coffee mornings, smoking cessation classes, computer classes, employability and Esol groups and we provide information on just about anything anyone wants to know - if we don't have it to hand we all know how to find it. And it is all free to everyone! Libraries are an invaluable resource to every community. They are far from an obsession - they are a necessity.

[DaisyNonna]

Coldicote, what is wrong with imagination? Even the smallest library is important. Children need to know that reading is fun, acceptable and leads to reading for information. To access the internet you have to be able to read. Books are important to the deaf.

Many people prefer to read than to watch TV or to go out to the cinema or theatre. There is the problem of paying for entertainment. If you live alone, have no transport, often cheaper to go to the library.

I read constantly, library books, books I have bought and kept, for pleasure, for information, to ward off loneliness.

I am very lucky tolive in atown which has an excellent range of fiction and nn-fiction books with a separate reference library. It has internet access. CDs and DVDs may be borrowed. It has a weekly Children's Story Time. It organises reading groups, providing free book borrowing and a place to meet. It has an excellent children's section and a teen section. It is a place where children excluded from school may be taught.

Local events are publicised, local groups are advertised.

The staff are interested, polite, well-trained, helpful and enthusiastic.
My library is vital to individuals and local society.

[Coldicote]

Oh dear, I do seem to have caused a stir - sorry about that. It stems from the fact that I have never found pleasure in reading, but do it out of necessity. From what people are saying here libraries offer much more than reading, so good luck to all who enjoy them. I'll stay with my computer and TV - and hopefully with AnswerBank!

[mickrog]

just wish they were open when the pathetic soaps are on the tv....lol

[keenonhist]

A new library is to open in our high street,actually it`s moving from one location to the new.It`s nearer to my house so I will be paying it a visit. I`m not a great library user.I prefer to buy books or if I`m researching some thing then I go on the internet.Having worked in the B/L for nearly 30 years and working with all those wonderful books,it would be a crime to close the local libraries down.
Keenonhist