Champion your Library?

Reverbe

exlibris wrote: »

Thank you OP for this thread. As a retired Librarian hence name, I can't push them enough!

As well as the previous advantages have you thought of the heat you save at home when visiting the library. I got this tip from the dossers who spent most of the day in reference reading the papers and even the books!

Exlibris this is a good point. Sadly I have discovered that not just dossers but anyone in a hostel gets thrown out in the early morning and not allowed to return until evening. As I may become homeless this year, I was thinking that I may end up becoming one of these library dwellers.Least they know me well so would have no trouble if I had to resort...

Essex-girl_2

I have always loved libraries, when I was young my local library in Leigh on Sea was in a beautiful old house with lovely gardens.

Now my nearest library is a very small affair but I too order books and generally find something to read. I read a lot and couldn't afford to buy the 2-3 books I read each week.

In fact I am having withdrawal symptons as havn't been able to get to the library for over a week due to the snow.

Have to say I would love it if there was a Starbucks in our bigger library - I would stay in there all day!

London_Welshcake

Oh thank you to the OP for this thread!

I discovered that our local library was recently revamped and went in and it is just heaven - but I don't use it enough!

I do have an account there and have taken out a few books, but as it is on my way home I might actually make it a 2010 resolution to visit potentially once a week. It has a CD, audio books, games and DVD section and all the magazines I used to buy... and free wifi (?!).

Thank you very much for this thread - I now know what I'm doing on a NSD one night this week! :T

liz545

Another big fan of the library - ours give you a loyalty card, so when you've made six trips, you can get a free DVD rental. You can reserve and renew online, which is handy. One thing that I don't think a lot of people know is that in most London boroughs, you don't need to be a resident to join the library. So you can join the library that's closest to your home, but also one near your work!

notjustlaura

Many thanks to OP for starting this thread.

I'm a dedicated reader and go through 2 - 3 books a week and sometimes one a day! But I don't use the library nearly enough and have no idea what additional things they have going on beyond lending and free internet (which seems to attract a lot of noisy schoolchildren). I do order books online sometimes but really need to be reading the 300+ books I have in the house before acquiring any more from any source! Ask me why I have credit card debt ...?!

Laura

KT1985

I really love going to the library- I go every 3 weeks and get out 10-11 books

There are quite a few things going on, a crime readers group, homework help and under 5's reading sessions, which I plan to go to when our little one is born.

I will be applying for baby's library card as soon as I can after birth.

vivatifosi

Hi everyone,

I work in a library and having searched over a prolonged period of time couldn't find a thread anywhere on MSE about how to get the most out of your local library. It strikes me that there are several library workers on MSE that could potentially help with enquiries if they too are interested.

Here are some tips to get started, it was going to be ten, but I couldn't stop myself so you've got 11:

1) Bestsellers: if there's an author you particularly like, then get your reservation in early. In our library we have a catalogue entry pretty early, sometimes even before we do our stock order. This way you'll be closer to the front of the queue when we get the book in stock.

2) Concessions: make sure you are getting the right concessions for you. I've lost count of the number of people getting lower entitlements than they should. Concessions and proof required vary from one local authority to another, and this list is just for starters, but if you fall into one of these categories check whether you should get a higher/different level of concessions. Pensioners; children; disabled people; people with reading difficulties including poor literacy and dyslexia; visual impaired people; those with hearing problems; people for whom English is a second language; people with learning difficulties; people with caring responsibilities; foster children and foster parents; people on a low income/benefits; people with serious or long term health issues that aren't disabilities per se (eg cancer). If you really can't get to the library, ask whether there is a housebound delivery service.

3) Know what to expect from your local library: libraries come in all shapes and sizes, from little mobile libraries and small community facilities through to big town and city facilities. If you want a book on obscure 17th century Chinese pottery, then this is most likely to be found in a bigger library. If browsing for what you want is important, use a larger library. If proximity to home is important and you don't mind ordering the odd more unusual item in, use a local facility which will still have a whole host of bestsellers, popular authors and subjects. Whatever library you enter, if you get stuck, ask. We're a friendly bunch as a rule!

4) Bring the family: many libraries offer schemes for parents to get together and share story time for pre-school children and babies. Additionally we run the "Summer Reading Challenge" for school-age children across the long holiday.

5) We're not just for books: library regulars will know this already. But many local libraries rent CDs, magazines, DVDs, talking books, etc. Charges vary from authority to authority and some even offer DVDs for free.

6) Family history - we may be your starting point: local libraries may be a great help in tracing your family history. Not only do many authorities offer basic Ancestry on the PCs in their libraries, but we have a whole host of books on the subject as well as specialist collections. Some larger authorities even have whole facilities dedicated to local history.

7) We help to bridge the digital divide: people who don't have easy access to a PC, the internet or maybe even just need a printer may find this at the local library. Many libraries also offer basic courses.

8) If we don't have it, we can get it: on the rare occasion that our authority doesn't have a title available from our stock, we will do our best to get a copy. From anywhere. In the world. The furthest afar I've seen an inter-library loan wing its way to the UK from is Australia. Of course this service costs a bit more, but like a certain brand of beauty products, we're worth it!

9) We find stuff out: because we work closely with local authorities - sometimes we're part of them or sometimes they cover the same area - we can find out local information really easily from our own databases. So if you need to find out who your local councillor is, or how to register a birth, or which the local special needs schools are, come in and speak to us. We answer all sorts of other obscure questions too..

10) You may not even have to visit us: obviously we'd be lonely if people didn't, but many authorities now offer some form of online facilities. People can renew books, order titles, check what's in stock before visiting. Some libraries are also building up extensive stocks of e-books and online audio books, so if you're commuting and don't have time to use a library, you can download the latest Dan Brown to listen to in the car.

11) You don't have to live here: some authorities will allow you to sign up even if you don't live there. Say for example you work in one county but live in another that has a more convenient library, try joining there.

Hope this is helpful! Viva

Francesanne

We'd be lost without the great service our lovely, newly renovated library provides. Had to reserve 3 books online earlier tonight for my hubby & it's a brilliant service. It's so good to see how well used it's become since it's makeover. We really appreciate our library.

downshifted

I loved working in a library - and second all you say. these are great resources and need to be fully used. Ordering books on line is easy and efficient. I left my job because of a house move and now volunteer in a charity bookshop - unfortunately it is hard to resist buying far too many books when it is much more MSE to borrow!!

Dazi

I read a lot and read very fast soooooo.........

I love my library:D:D:D, I am always reserving books, sometimes its to see if I want to buy the book, I do this with a lot of cookery books, for 50p its great to see if I would actually use the book. More often than not, I love reading them but think hmmmm would I actually use the recipes, nope, so it saves me lots of money.

I love the fact I can reserve a book online one day and the only copy may be the other end of the county and it is usually there within 2 days. I do laugh at the automated message I receive though it sounds like a dalek:rotfl:

Our library has started opening at 8.30 which means I can get there during the week now, before I go to work.

Earlier this year when visiting my DD we went to a rhyme time at their library with my DGDs, it was a lovely day and we sat outside in the garden singing songs, was great to see so many people there and they were very happy to see granny come along too!

What can I say, I have been a member of various libraries since I was 7 years old, love 'em, long may we have them!