In the 1960s there was no public library in our area, my senior school had a collection of very old books that was never added to and in our village the vicar's wife kindly allowed locals to borrow her books simply by calling round on a Friday teatime to make a selection, mainly from a large number of historical novels.
I remember my delight as a teenager when a purpose built library opened in my local town, I signed up straight away and as I've moved around I've always had library membership. Working in Edinburgh I had access to an amazing choice of local authority lending, from the cavernous central library within walking distance of my office to a wonderful little neighbourhood library just round the corner that I visited several times a week. When I finished work it really wasn't feasible to keep borrowing and taking books back without a lengthy car journey so eventually I stopped. 
I have lots of books in the house, cookery, gardening, knitting of course and I had before I retired built up a selection of paperbacks mainly sourced from charity shops. I read and return these but I've noticed this year that all the prices seem to have increased. 
Where I could find 50p novels they are now probably £1.50 or more and some shops are pricing their books individually, based on who knows what. Personally I think this is a bad idea, I know I can afford to pay the asking price for a book but at 50p each I'd happily take a handful risking authors I didn't recognise and often finding some real treasures.
So with all the talk of library closures due to local authority budget cuts and despite there not being (currently) any threatened library loss in our area I decided I needed to show my support by using a library again. Our nearest one is part of a new leisure complex and about 25 minutes drive away but I can combine visits with a big shop. I went in to sign up earlier this week and even though I don't live in the Council area I was welcomed and quickly enrolled so that I could withdraw books immediately. I'm pleased to report that the place was buzzing, not just borrowers but lots of people using the computers and a children's after school reading session taking place.
Back home and pleased with my selection I went on line to browse the catalogue and have reserved three knitting books that will come from other branches, excellent.
I have lots of books in the house, cookery, gardening, knitting of course and I had before I retired built up a selection of paperbacks mainly sourced from charity shops. I read and return these but I've noticed this year that all the prices seem to have increased. Where I could find 50p novels they are now probably £1.50 or more and some shops are pricing their books individually, based on who knows what. Personally I think this is a bad idea, I know I can afford to pay the asking price for a book but at 50p each I'd happily take a handful risking authors I didn't recognise and often finding some real treasures. So with all the talk of library closures due to local authority budget cuts and despite there not being (currently) any threatened library loss in our area I decided I needed to show my support by using a library again. Our nearest one is part of a new leisure complex and about 25 minutes drive away but I can combine visits with a big shop. I went in to sign up earlier this week and even though I don't live in the Council area I was welcomed and quickly enrolled so that I could withdraw books immediately. I'm pleased to report that the place was buzzing, not just borrowers but lots of people using the computers and a children's after school reading session taking place.
Back home and pleased with my selection I went on line to browse the catalogue and have reserved three knitting books that will come from other branches, excellent. I hope you love and use your local library and that it isn't under threat, I know there are huge and varied demands on limited public spending at the moment but the provision of access to knowledge and literature surely should never be considered as dispensable.
I can quite happily loose track of time in the library.........there are lovely seating areas to sit and browse through your chosen books before they are taken home........our library also houses the local museum, a knitting group, various mums and tots groups, warhammer gaming group and a local book club.......I'm hoping it never gets chosen for the axe.
ReplyDeleteflorrie x
We have a briliant local library and Mr Snoops borrows regularly. Me? Well, I have a weakness for stashing favourite books. I have many, many, many. Like you, reading has been a passion since childhood; I studied English Lit for my degree. I collect paperbacks in the same way that I collect yarn!!!!! Ros
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I don't use my local library anywhere near as much as I should. Both Mr JK and I are great readers, and the house is full of books (and the loft too!)
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for quite a while now but have never commented (or at least I don't think I have - dreadful memory!), but this post has spurred me into leaving my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE reading; despite the fact that I am a book hoarder (and about to write a post on my own blog attesting to the fact) I am a weekly visitor to the library where my little boy and I attend a Rhymetime session for the under-5s. There's so much more available at libraries than just a few dusty old books to borrow - there are newspapers and magazines to browse, CDs and DVDs to borrow, computers to use, books to buy (if you can't resist the urge to own, like me), craft, singing and storytime sessions to attend, book groups, local authors giving talks. Our local group of libraries even send out emails detailing upcoming events so you don't have to miss a thing.
And, I find there's just something so relaxing (and at the same time exciting) about walking into a library and being surrounded by the joy that is BOOKS!
I love libraries too. Just found out also that you can download audio books for free, so you can knit and listen to an audio book at the same time. I have noticed that our local library stocks lots of knitting books now which is brilliant. Love reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI ALWAYS have my full quota of library books out. I sincerely hope my local one doesn't close as it has recently been given a full refurbishment. I often borrow CDs too.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should post about joining your library as I've been planning on doing the same here. There's no threat of closure yet but you never know.
ReplyDeleteI remember coming home from my first day at school, bitterly disappointed that I hadn't learned to read! I agree with you that the price of books in charity shops has jumped up. Given how cheaply you can buy paperbacks when supermarkets and WH Smith have them on special offer, why would you pay only slightly less for a used copy.
ReplyDeleteSince I've been trying to watch what I spend I use the library to 'try before I buy' which I find especially useful when it comes to cookery books.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your comment on my post about Ebay...I have decided that anyone who buys from me is in for a treat...I send emails telling them when I'm going to post...wrap in tissue paper and try to be as nice as I can.
We have no excuses here about not using the library - it comes to our village twice a month in the shape of a big bus, but how long that will continue is anyone's guess.
ReplyDeleteVery fun to see your book collections, Jenny! I've always loved books & reading, and connecting with those who do too. I loved books even before I could read. My mum tells stories of how I would sit for hours just looking at books when I was 2 years old and on. The Beatrix Potter books were among the first library books I borrowed too, I remember that! I love libraries. And hubby & I use our local library weekly--it's always a highlight of the week to go to the library! Happy Days ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteThe local public libary is my second home. I'm there so often, the librarian knows me by my first name (and this is a town of about 25,000 people). and not just books, they have a large selection of movies on dvd, vhs, and books on cd. i've been a library lover since 1st grade (6 years old).
ReplyDeleteThis post was very special to me as books and libraries have always been part of my life. It is so sad when I keeping reading of libraries under threat in the UK.
ReplyDeleteI love a good library, always have, love a good book too, my current read is a Beverley Nichols one. As a kid most of the Enid Byltons topped my list, now I'm much more varied but still love a good mystery. They doubled the size of my local library last year and it's very popular, I go to use the computers too when I'm on a family history kick, as they have subscriptions to sites I'd have to pay for ordinarily. I love my library, it's a great resource.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Brenda
I really enjoyed reading this post. It seems like all people who enjoy libraries grew up with them. What a shame if cutbacks prevent future generations from getting so much from being a library member. I'm really enjoying borrowing books from the library again, particularly cookbooks where I can copy one or two recipes and then return them. I love the online catalogue too - it's like Amazon only cheaper! x
ReplyDeleteI've noticed the high cost of paperbacks in charity shops too and I've actually stopped buying them. I get them from car boot sales now or have swaps with friends, which can be quite fun. Although my latest swap has yielded about 15 vampire and werewolf books which I'm really not sure about but my friend is a big fan so I will dutifully plough my way though.
ReplyDeleteWe have a very small library near us and I have pretty much been through all of their stock on the things that interest me over the last six years. I give them suggestions about new books to get, but I think they're having their funding cut so not many of them appear on the shelves. I must try the inter library loans system if they do it.