Gransnet forums

Chat

Libraries. Are you a member?

(79 Posts)
HeavenLeigh Sun 06-Aug-23 13:44:00

We have a lovely library where I live on two floors, All our family including our grandchildren are members. Nothing like getting lost in a good book me thinks. Actually when I think about it each time we have moved house since a teenager all the villages and towns we have lived in have always had one.

keepcalmandcavachon Sun 06-Aug-23 13:59:19

We have a really good library with the most lovely, helpful staff (and volunteers too). I treasure it, love seeing all the little ones going in/out with their books too. One of my greatest pleasures is finding a book I'd reserved ages ago put out for me, it always seems like a present!

nanna8 Sun 06-Aug-23 14:02:34

I belong to 2 different groups of libraries here as well as Libby online. None of my family do,though. I just love to read and I love even more that you take the book back when you have finished.No mouldering old book left on my shelves afterwards - they are way too book - heavy already.

Kate1949 Sun 06-Aug-23 14:03:23

Yes we are both members of our little local library. Our new one in Birmingham City Centre is a sight to behold

tanith Sun 06-Aug-23 14:03:36

I go to my library monthly at least to return books I’ve read I search around for books I’d like to read then see if I can reserve them in My Library app. It’s really useful to see what’s available.

Ilovecheese Sun 06-Aug-23 14:09:27

Oh yes, I regularly use the library. We have a very good reserve system.

SachaMac Sun 06-Aug-23 14:14:14

Yes, we have a good library, I am a member and used to use it regularly and always took the children & GC, especially in the school holidays.

Now I tend to pick books up in the numerous charity shops we have or at table top sales and I also swap books with friends so don’t use the library as often. I have accumulated far too many books though so borrowing more from the library instead of buying them would be a good solution. I must try and use it more often.

Daddima Sun 06-Aug-23 14:20:19

I am a member of two libraries, and, when working, my office was in a library. Nowadays it’s mostly online borrowing for me. My grandchildren use libraries, their parents not so much.

Septimia Sun 06-Aug-23 14:21:19

I live in a rural area so we have a mobile library. The choice of books on the van is often abysmal but I use it in order to keep it going.

I'm also a member of the Lit and Phil in Newcastle - a private, brilliant and characterful library.

Sidelined Sun 06-Aug-23 14:58:51

We have a very good library service county-wide which I make good use of but my nearest libraries are tiny, more like hubs really and they provide other community services so can’t complain.

Having a good library has always been high on my essentials list, I can’t imagine not having access to one, life would have been so dreary.

MrsKen33 Sun 06-Aug-23 15:38:07

Excellent libraries here and we use them a lot

Aveline Sun 06-Aug-23 15:40:30

I'm a member of our local library but mostly borrow e books to listen to when on walks. I'm doing several talks in libraries too. They try so hard to engage local people. They're wonderful resources.

Jaxjacky Sun 06-Aug-23 16:18:58

Yes, I use the local one regularly, they were brilliant during Covid restrictions too, I was very grateful.

Washerwoman Sun 06-Aug-23 16:26:17

I'm a volunteer at my local library and I love it. For several years volunteered at an adult education centre helping adults with literacy problems.Then work took over and sadly the centre closed.It's totally different from my job before retirement and I've not read as much in years.I also take the DGC to swap their books as their parents are so busy but we're keen to foster a love of reading. Harder today with ipads and other technical distractions!

TerriBull Sun 06-Aug-23 16:32:04

Most definitely. Really lovely small village library and a much larger one in our town a couple of miles away, I use them both. I often order a book or two. Some of my earliest memories are of visiting the library and choosing my own books. Wonderful places smile

lemsip Sun 06-Aug-23 16:32:56

yes I joined the public library many years ago first in London as a child and then on wherever we lived. I use current one frequently as I pass it every day to go to town..

Theexwife Sun 06-Aug-23 16:57:56

I have just started to use it after many years of not. I have a kindle which I prefer, however, I am conscious of if something is not used it will close and there are others that rely on it.

Greta8 Sun 06-Aug-23 17:03:33

As a retired school librarian, I bang the drum for all libraries!!!!!
We take our grandson to activities in our local library, are both members, so order books from them. We also visit the library in our nearest City, soon to be replaced with a fab new library attached to the new University. I also have both Libby and Borrowbox for books on-line. Libby is so great for on-line magazines, and I love Borrowbox too - although it's definitely a victim of its own success inasmuch that many downloads are not immediately available. I think even this philistine Government realise the libraries are sacrosanct and leave them alone. Our grandson also calls Waterstones 'the library'!!!!

pascal30 Sun 06-Aug-23 17:17:22

Fabulous library where I live. It has a cafe, lots of clubs, free films, live music events and public talks... student study areas, a childrens space... as well as lovely staff and a wonderful range of books.. I feel very blessed

Sparklefizz Sun 06-Aug-23 17:25:29

I've belonged to a library in various places I've lived since I was a very small child. I absolutely love books and my library was marvellous during the lockdowns and phoned me to ask which were my favourite authors and drove over to deliver 6 books to me to keep me going (I used to run a book group at the library so they know me well.)

Like TerriBull some of my earliest and very warm memories are of being taken to the library by my Mum and being allowed to choose some books.

Musicgirl Sun 06-Aug-23 17:25:51

We are moving house this week and I thoroughly intend joining the library as soon as possible. I have belonged to libraries my whole life, starting with the mobile library that visited our village when I was small.

sweetpea Sun 06-Aug-23 17:33:19

Yes, always been a member of the local library wherever we have lived. Started using Libby in lockdown, not a great fan - doesn’t do my eyesight any good - but find it useful for the books required by my bookgroup, invariably murder mysteries and the elk and which I refuse to buy! Unfortunately not able to get to the local library currently due to mobility issues but I do miss it so ……

lixy Sun 06-Aug-23 17:39:32

Good libraries here - we use them for books and toddler activities. All C and GC are library users too. When GC are here we make an outing of it, going by bike and having a snack at the cafe while we're there.
Use it or lose it as they say!

eGJ Mon 07-Aug-23 11:49:36

Wonderful library service here. Free access to PressReader, so can read newspapers and magazines from all over the world every day ( except The Times or The Sun in uk). Have a look to see if your library has signed up. We have BorrowBox with e-books and audiobooks too. Free reservations are a boon as I see what’s coming on “Fantastic Fiction” website and get my name first on the list for all books about to be published. Three cheers for Libraries and librarians!

Glenfinnan Mon 07-Aug-23 12:11:16

Yes a member of my library! Also use their digital book service as well as hard copies