I loved going to the library as a child.
It was so exciting to have all these books that i was allowed to touch and browse through.
Myself and my sisters would spend a Saturday afternoon curled up on beanbags in the corner of the library exploring far away places and magical exciting characters.
Of course back then there were no discount bookstores and websites, a new book would be an exciting treat, to be treasured and then handed down through the family.
I have lovely memories of reading Michelle Magorian's Goodnight Mr Tom and Roald Dahl's The Witches to my two younger sisters.
My childhood visits to the library created a curiosity and excitement to learn more about the world.
When i had my own children we did use the library but far less then i did as a child.
As a working single mum spare time was precious and in short supply so i started buying the kids books by subscription and then later when internet shopping became the norm, purchasing books online. Rather than browsing the shelves for new books or interesting authors as i did as a child, we would instead get recommendations from friends or grab a book off the shelf in the supermarket.
But last year i rediscovered the library.
If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that my life changed dramatically in 2015. In a bid to support my daughter through mental health issues, i searched for healthy distractions and stumbled upon the library once more.
If the image in your mind of your local library is a musty smelling building, with a stern librarian and impatient users shushing you then you might want to pop into you local library and have a look.
Our town library is still located in the 1890's building that it was when i was a child.
But once you step inside it is modern and colourful.
We are greeted with information boards bursting with details of community groups and support groups in the local area.
As well as the many books sorted by author and genre, there are small wooden stands dotted around the library which are all assigned their own mental/physical health related themes.
They range from dementia to Autism, Depression to Young people's mental health, Sexual health to mood lifting books. These books are referred to as 'prescription books' and allow a longer loan time.
The children's section is colourful and vibrant with children's art on the wall, this month it is Harry Potter themed and shows off some fabulous young talent.
There are posters dotted about advertising Lego clubs and coding clubs and information on upcoming days such as Roald Dahl day or Science day where families can come and take part in experiments, listen to talks and meet like minded local people.
Families arent the only members catered for, there are all sorts of hobby based groups running including Ancestry, sewing and card games
There is the audio book and DVD section that i remember as a child but now there are also dozens of computers where people can browse the internet whilst chatting with others.
You can print documents and send faxes for a small fee.
The borrowing process is now digitised and self service. There are clever machines that can recognise the book i want to borrow purely by its cover, this machine can also give me information, tell me if i have outstanding charges and even take payment.
The Library's online service is also great. You can log on using your library card and a pin and browse books, make reservations, borrow e-books and renew your loans.
The thing i love most about the library is the diversity.
So many different types of people all finding a place where the love of books is shared.
There are few places in society where everyone is welcome, there is no discrimination by what you can afford or who you are, it is open to everyone.
I've heard comments from others saying that libraries are closing down across the country and that with the digital age we live in, libraries are now outdated and unneeded.
Well i feel that in times of austerity and budget cuts we as a society need to utilise anything that the government is still prepared to pay for!
And for me i cannot read a book on an E reader. I need to have the book.
I love the smell, i love the cover and i love turning the pages.
If you want to find out more about your local library you can visit .Govuk
For information on National Libraries Week you can visit Twitter or Facebook
It was so exciting to have all these books that i was allowed to touch and browse through.
Myself and my sisters would spend a Saturday afternoon curled up on beanbags in the corner of the library exploring far away places and magical exciting characters.
Of course back then there were no discount bookstores and websites, a new book would be an exciting treat, to be treasured and then handed down through the family.
I have lovely memories of reading Michelle Magorian's Goodnight Mr Tom and Roald Dahl's The Witches to my two younger sisters.
My childhood visits to the library created a curiosity and excitement to learn more about the world.
When i had my own children we did use the library but far less then i did as a child.
As a working single mum spare time was precious and in short supply so i started buying the kids books by subscription and then later when internet shopping became the norm, purchasing books online. Rather than browsing the shelves for new books or interesting authors as i did as a child, we would instead get recommendations from friends or grab a book off the shelf in the supermarket.
But last year i rediscovered the library.
If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that my life changed dramatically in 2015. In a bid to support my daughter through mental health issues, i searched for healthy distractions and stumbled upon the library once more.
If the image in your mind of your local library is a musty smelling building, with a stern librarian and impatient users shushing you then you might want to pop into you local library and have a look.
Our town library is still located in the 1890's building that it was when i was a child.
But once you step inside it is modern and colourful.
We are greeted with information boards bursting with details of community groups and support groups in the local area.
As well as the many books sorted by author and genre, there are small wooden stands dotted around the library which are all assigned their own mental/physical health related themes.
They range from dementia to Autism, Depression to Young people's mental health, Sexual health to mood lifting books. These books are referred to as 'prescription books' and allow a longer loan time.
The children's section is colourful and vibrant with children's art on the wall, this month it is Harry Potter themed and shows off some fabulous young talent.
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| Harry Potter Display |
Families arent the only members catered for, there are all sorts of hobby based groups running including Ancestry, sewing and card games
There is the audio book and DVD section that i remember as a child but now there are also dozens of computers where people can browse the internet whilst chatting with others.
You can print documents and send faxes for a small fee.
The borrowing process is now digitised and self service. There are clever machines that can recognise the book i want to borrow purely by its cover, this machine can also give me information, tell me if i have outstanding charges and even take payment.
The Library's online service is also great. You can log on using your library card and a pin and browse books, make reservations, borrow e-books and renew your loans.
The thing i love most about the library is the diversity.
So many different types of people all finding a place where the love of books is shared.
There are few places in society where everyone is welcome, there is no discrimination by what you can afford or who you are, it is open to everyone.
Well i feel that in times of austerity and budget cuts we as a society need to utilise anything that the government is still prepared to pay for!
And for me i cannot read a book on an E reader. I need to have the book.
I love the smell, i love the cover and i love turning the pages.
If you want to find out more about your local library you can visit .Govuk
For information on National Libraries Week you can visit Twitter or Facebook
I hope they aren't! I love my local library and I still prefer books I can hold and turn the pages. I think physical books are so beneficial to young children too so often visit there with my little ones.
ReplyDeleteThey are so important for the whole community. Not much that is welcoming and free these days.
ReplyDeleteWe still make the time to go to the local library ...they have special events going on there sometimes too
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we don't visit the library that often... parking is very limited and I have fibromyalgia so can't always get out and about. I have many book reading apps installed on our tech but also but many books from charity shops. Great post tho x
ReplyDeleteI still go, from time to time, though e readers have changed way we read books somewhat
ReplyDeleteI go to my local library now and again but they've turned half of it into a community hub so there are aot less books and there is no longer the peace and quiet that i always associate with a library from my childhood. Too many people gossiping and laughing when the library should be a place of quiet where you can relax and read.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I used our local library less with the children than I did myself as a child. I now use it for lots of things other than books. Well done to those libraries that libraries have diversified to survive.
ReplyDeleteI love the library too. I also love the new feature of being able to go online and reserve any particular book I want and they have it in stock for me (usually by the next day).
ReplyDeleteI've not been to a library since I was a child. I'm not a big reader, so there has never been a point.
ReplyDeletewe use our local library quite often
ReplyDeleteLocal libraries do have an important part to play. Many older folks don't have the internet and enjoy borrowing books and housebound people can benefit from the travelling library van that visits villages. Also libraries offer lots of local and tourist information. It is lovely to sit in the peace and quiet of the reference room, and look through reference books. I think children get pleasure from exploring the book shelves if they are encouraged to do so.
ReplyDelete