Libraries

We used to have a proper library with a librarian and a few assistants. Now we have a sort of community centre with books.

I feel sorry for anyone who needs to use it as somewhere peaceful to read, research or write, as there is always something going on - knitting group, children listening to stories, people chatting loudly etc. There is no librarian now, so the emphasis is not so much on books - there used to be 'promotions' of different genres, and an occasional book launch or talk from an author (not as often as in the city library, as we are a small town); but none of that happens now. It seems to be more of a social for the volunteers and regulars.

I think it is a shame, as the point of libraries was to allow people without access to quiet space or reference books the opportunity to self-educate, and there isn't much chance of that in my local one. I know that people can google now, instead of using encyclopaedias, but even the computers are surrounded by other people, so someone trying to complete a job application or whatever will struggle to concentrate.

Modern one here with a cafe next door love it and use it!!

I don't see volunteering as a long term solution. I have both worked and taught in libraries and I know just how important they are to communities.

I feel that signing petitions and voting to have public services and education properly funded is a better use of my time.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/15/tories-libraries-social-mobility-conservative

Our library has quiet times too and an area dedicated to study.

Our library promotes different genres or authors and we have talks by local authors. We have art exhibitions etc- altogether more lively and friendly.

I see no reason why a collaboration between the local library service and trained and knowledgeable locals is not a brilliant idea. Libraries were started by 'volunteers'.

We had a fabulous library. Built in the 30's. Amazing building.

Sadly, it closed down about 6 years ago

A community 'hub' has set up there but it's not what it was

People just stopped using it

Books are cheap. Kindles.

Technology seems to hold more interest for children than books

I still persist in buying books for my grandchildren and read to them regularly

Pleased to know that my children read to them at bedtime

But life has changed

I never use the library although I believe it is very good. Parking is difficult there and I always seemed to forget to take books back on time. I still have my library card but prefer my kindle.

I help to run a small voluntary library. Whilst it may not be such a professional operation it is still very much valued by the people using it. I think anything which promotes reading and use of books instead of e-readers must be a good thing and not to be denigrated.

Why do you think that books should be promoted over e-readers?

I like both - books for things like recipes or poetry that I want to keep, and kindle for novels that I would otherwise read and pass on or have cluttering my bookshelves.

I’m not sure why books should be promoted, as e-readers are so much better for the planet, so I am I in why you think they should.

I am interested in . . .

Yes you are right to an extent Doodlebug I suppose I am old fashioned in liking the feel and heft of a book in my hand as opposed to a screen. I'm not sure how authors benefit from e-books either though they must do. Libraries at least loan the books out so the same one is used by several people.

Sorry Doodledog

Anyone remember when libraries were all Shhhh!!! And stern looks from the librarian if you made a noise? I was in ours, which is just one big space, yesterday and there was a mother and toddler group in the children’s section, and a very lively book club group in the adult section. You couldn’t hear yourself think, but no-one, including me, seemed to mind. Use it or lose it!

I used to use ours all the time till it was closed down. The council was looking at which to close and the fact that the roof needed replacing made it the first casualty. So no option of volunteers taking over, it just shut. I can still walk to the next nearest, and go to the book club there, but there’s a poor choice of books and reservations can take weeks and cost 60p, so it’s easier just to buy from the charity shop across the road.

In my daughter’s village, the library has been handed over to volunteers and is much better for it. It’s so well stocked, as they now take donations of books as well as toys and games for the children’s corner, and there’s so much more going on there.

Authors are paid royalties on e-books the same as on paper ones, sodapop. I do understand that some people prefer to hold books, which is fine; but I don't think personal preference is a reason to promote them over carbon-neutral e-books.

I think that library users need to decide what they want from libraries, whether that's more of a community centre, with different groups using tremor a place for people to go when they want peace and quiet, with access to books and computers. If it is the former, then I think we also need to try to find space somewhere for schoolchildren to do homework if their homes are crowded, jobseekers to go to fill in the applications they have to prove that they have done, and somewhere that gives everyone access to computers, now that so much, from paying bills to claiming benefits happens online.

I think it is also important to recognise that if someone is dyslexic or has ADHD, or struggles with reading or concentration for other reasons, then expecting them to do any of this whilst there is noise all around them is unreasonable.

'them as', not 'tremor'!