What does your local library mean to you?

I make a note of new books I think I would like from the week end papers and order them from the library online. It's about 30 p to order a book. I try to ordering batches and collect in batches.it means that I don't have to find shelf space and although I do buy books they are ones I want to keep.i stash up my kindle on the amazon daily deals and if I buy a paperback I try to lend it out and ask people to pass it on.the locall library has children's story time computer sessions. I've seen hooky mat sessions and Chinese New Year. It's thriving

I love my local library (let's hear it for Didsbury library!!!) and I would be lost without it. I can search online throughout the whole of the Manchester catalogue, request a book and have it delivered to my library, completely free of charge. They even email me when it's arrived. My reading habit has outstripped my budget and I really do value this unlimited access to books and information of all kinds. The staff are unfailingly helpful and patient. A few years ago, my computer died and I was unable to replace it for a few months until I had saved up. As I do all my banking etc online, I would have been completely stuck if it hadn't been for the computers at the library.

There are lots of activities going on too - story time, a health information point, a reading group and so on.

I would really miss my library if it wasn't there. I also buy books at charity shops etc and take them back when read. I think on average I visit the library once a fortnight, taking out about 3 books or so each time. It's a modern building which has a reading group and a good, comfortable and colourful area for storytelling for younger children. Also there are DVDs and CDs available for rent along with a bank of computers which members can use. I frequently request books that I've read reviews about....er, 'about which I have read reviews' (pedant alert)?

Books have overtaken my house and I am in a similar position to Ariadne. I also buy books from charity shops. I take in a sackful and come out with a few more. Books are my life and have been since I was around 5 years old and went with my father to a private library and chose books for the old penny each.

Many elderly use the local small library as a place of warmth and comfort as they are unable to afford the cost of cental heating during the day.

Like Ariadne I haven't been in a library for a while, yes, buy books and buy for my Kindle also. However my daughter and grandson are frequent library goers,and we are fortunate in our part of Oxfordshire to have some really excellent libraries. All libraries have diversified, but some years ago were in danger of doing that to the detriment of actual book buying, but my daughter says that the libraries that she goes to seem to have sorted out the 'we must have everything going on here' attitude, and have got it right. More new books, child friendly comfy sections, some computers and a few dvds and cd sections, but generally leaning more back into books. Lots of things for children, story times etc. colouring and competitions with awards for reading.

Grandsons love their local library. So important for kids!

I haven't been near a library for years, despite being an avid reader, apart from delivering two enormous cartons to the library in Chatham, and another lot to a university library (all my Ed.D stuff)

I buy books, have a kindle, and have a lot of books in the house. I do however, honestly realise that I am fortunate to be able to buy books without counting the cost.

Our main library is always looking for ways to encourage the community to walk through its doors so I'd be surprised if it wasn't doing something special this weekend. In recent years I've noticed change - it's no longer the silent, stuffy place all libraries were - there are study groups, places to get coffee, mother and toddler groups, beanbags for teenagers to lounge on and of course dozens of computers for people to use. It's a meeting place for all sorts of groups and for all ages. Long live the libraries!