Take ten minutes to visit your library. Books, CDs, DVDs and possibly free internet

niccy

We love our library too.Because of where we live we receive library boxes (two) these are sent out on the ferry and contain up to 12 books in each.We have got 5 kids 6--15 yrs old and they often pop a note in to the library staff,who always reply,even down to a xmas card, they are great:T

anney

I used to buy loads of books- I can finish a paperback in one sitting, & last time I had a major clearout because I couldn't fit anymore books on the (huge) shelves I was somewhat perturbed to realise just how many £100's of pristine books were winging their way to the charity shops, & this was after the car boot sale! So now I am a regular at my local library & it's great, not only do I get access to all the books my heart desires but I also found out about all the free kids stuff that happens in the school holidays- last summer my daughter made balloon animals, cards & pictures among others & also joined a reading scheme that got her a completion medal sent to her school in September- she was so chuffed.

vivatifosi

I find my local library (Central Resources Library in Hatfield) absolutely vital for the running of my small business.

Anyone looking to grow their business should consider the resources available locally. Other great business sections that I've come across on my travels: Chelmsford, Milton Keynes, City Business Library (London) and of course the British Library (though for that you may need a Reader's Card).

Here's an example of what I can access from my local library that has helped my business:

* Endless government reports and statistics on the economy, building trade growth, demographics, etc.

* Keynote reports (and some Mintel reports too) on different industries. These help me decide what are good industries to target, and also help me sound informed in front of clients. I could never afford these (at upwards of £450 each) for my one woman band but they are absolutely great.

* FAME database of companies. That would cost me thousands to buy for myself. I can go in, look up the growing companies in my area, and people looking for jobs can use FAME to identify the best paying companies in their area.

My local library helps with copyright law (they'll tell you what you can and cannot copy) and will help you download mailing and targeting lists at a very competitive price. Sometimes it also has lists of courses that are free to small businesses that are run by the local Business Link.

And finally, you can pick up some really good bargains. If you're looking at targeting an area, see if you can pick up last year's Kompass or Dun and Bradstreet. I have last year's Kompass on my desk courtesy of Milton Keynes Library second hand book sales and it is really useful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Hertfordshire Libraries!!!!!

boybeck

I'm tracing my family tree and I have found libraries a fantastic resource.

I live in Southampton and travelled up to Manchester for a special trip to the Central Library there last week.

Not only is it a beautiful domed building but the archives are brilliant.

I tracked down newspaper articles about my great great grandfather in 1890 and even managed to find his grave thanks to parish records on microfilm.

davemack_2

another thing worth bearing in mind is that you might be living on the border between more than one local library 'system', thereby increasing the availability of new books, etc. I'm lucky enough to be a member of Hillingdon library services and Harrow library services (having lived in the area for many years, a chance conversation with an aquaintance alerted me to the possibility of joining the latter). Different boroughs vary in their generosity towards disabled 'customers': Hillingdon offers reduced fees for book reservations, DVD rentals, etc.; Harrow is even more generous, and offers them free to disabled 'customers', and it even waives late fees.

klondyke

vivatifosi wrote: »

I find my local library (Central Resources Library in Hatfield) absolutely vital for the running of my small business.

Anyone looking to grow their business should consider the resources available locally. Other great business sections that I've come across on my travels: Chelmsford, Milton Keynes, City Business Library (London) and of course the British Library (though for that you may need a Reader's Card).

Here's an example of what I can access from my local library that has helped my business:

* Endless government reports and statistics on the economy, building trade growth, demographics, etc.
re
* Keynote reports (and some Mintel reports too) on different industries. These help me decide what are good industries to target, and also help me sound informed in front of clients. I could never afford these (at upwards of £450 each) for my one woman band but they are absolutely great.

* FAME database of companies. That would cost me thousands to buy for myself. I can go in, look up the growing companies in my area, and people looking for jobs can use FAME to identify the best paying companies in their area.

My local library helps with copyright law (they'll tell you what you can and cannot copy) and will help you download mailing and targeting lists at a very competitive price. Sometimes it also has lists of courses that are free to small businesses that are run by the local Business Link.

And finally, you can pick up some really good bargains. If you're looking at targeting an area, see if you can pick up last year's Kompass or Dun and Bradstreet. I have last year's Kompass on my desk courtesy of Milton Keynes Library second hand book sales and it is really useful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Hertfordshire Libraries!!!!!

Glad you mentioned business side as it's often overlooked as to how much info can be found in libraries, as well as lighter reading. Before retirement I was a business information person, albeit not in the public sector, but was always amused at the way employers thought I was very 'clever' to find all these resources - many of which are now available free. Years ago, it cost a fortune to search for company information; now with internet and the resources mentioned, the world is one's oyster! Anyway, glad you find Keynote useful - DD freelances for them.

louiseg_2

At last, people singing our praises!!!
Did you know if you live in BURY, in Greater Manchester you can borrow books, CDs, videos, DVDs, story tapes, language tapes, toys, pick up your childs Bookstart packs, join in with story times, use the learning libraries facilities to access all sorts of courses, access the internet for free(just pay for printouts), join the Homework Club, get help for local history enquiries and family history enquiries and now you can make non-cash payments for things like Council Tax (no groans please), parking fines, business rates,invoices for room hire etc. You can also get your bus pass and leisure cards. So come along and visit your friendly libraries.
Remember the saying IF YOU DON'T USE IT , YOU'LL LOSE IT.

caz7620

At Luton Libraries you can go online at https://www.lutonlibrary.com if you 'click' to search the library catalogue you can: search by author, title etc. reserve books for free, check and renew any loans you have, read and add book reviews, look up local clubs and societies and even join the library online. If you join any Luton library you are automatically a member of all Luton libraries. They also have a loyalty card scheme where you get to 'hire one get one free' on all DVD's, CD's etc. after every four visits. You can get 35 minutes a day free internet access, homework clubs, story times, photocopier, fax service (charges apply), scanning facility, colour printing, computer courses, help with CV's, concessionary rates for unemployed and some disabilities and so much more - I'm sounding like an advert but if you don't visit the library you're really missing out.

trekker2002

thebrow2000 wrote: »

I love the Library, but I keep forgetting to renew me books. I must have racked up 20 quid in fine. And at my Local it doesn't go back into books, but instead the council pockets it!!!

Doesn't your library enable you to renew online. Here in Lincolnshire I can reserve books at 15p a time, then they email me to tell me they've arrived at the local library. I can access my details to check the dates they are due back and renew loans. So just as long as the memory reminds me to access the page once a week I never need to pay fines.

schoolfundraiser

Libraries subscribed to the People's Network have loads of online stuff some of which you can log into from your home computer. It does vary from Library to library - I belong to both Leamington and Birmingham Libraries and Birmingham has the Times index online remotely accessible but Leamington doesn't. Both do have Ancestry full world subscription on computers in the library (£180 to you at home so worth a visit to the library)

Also Birmingham Library has all 56 volumes of the Proceedings of the Hugeuenot Society on the 4th Floor in the Social Sciences section plus umpteen parish registers on the 5th floor in the family history section

Leamington has also started a family history group run by one of the librarians which is really useful!
:rotfl: