It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Brambling

I remember reading something pre lockdown and it said about a fifth of all UK libraries had been closed due to cut backs at that time, not sure now 3 years later what the number is.  

My sister who works in child care tells be that the belief now is a lot of boys are more likely to read via a electronic device rather than a book and good educators should take any reading as a win regardless of what the child is reading including magazines. My nephews teacher once told her you can tell which are the children who are read to at home and those which aren't and it's not because they can necessary read when they get to school.

 I don't remember being read to before going to sleep but I can remember being allowed to read for a while once in bed before lights out from quite a young age

Toonie

Before the dodgy leg I was a nanny for 20 years and have numerous activities up my sleeves which are cheap or free. The one which no toddler has ever cottoned onto is "painting" the bricks. Give them a tub of water and a paintbrush and they are entertained for ages (especially as the first ones soon dry out). Also works on garden stones, paving slabs, etc.

Junk modeling was always good, especially if you save random bits like shredded packing material, ribbons from clothes, chopsticks, wine corks, bottle tops. And making paper mache bowls with junk mail or free newspapers has worked with every child I've looked after.

Broomstick

Can I put in a plug for 'Little Free Libraries' which are gradually being set up all over the world https://littlefreelibrary.org/? I only recently discovered that there is one near me, not within easy walking distance but on a car route to a nearby town that I use every couple of weeks. I keep a couple of books for swapping in the boot of the car now.  Little Free Libraries rely on give and take to keep their stock turning over.  There might be one where you are (search the map on the website).  

OrkneyStar

We are very fortunate where libraries are concerned, we have the local one (which also has council payment etc services within), lots of books, jigsaws, DVDs, great children's section, lovely area to sit and look out over the harbour, it's in a newish building (the old one is now artists studios), and helpful staff, and also one 13 miles away (less scenic view, but more of all the rest except the council payments etc). I think they are all well used, and also have a good presence within the community. I currently have two books and 3 jigsaws on loan.

joedenise

Broomstick said:

Can I put in a plug for 'Little Free Libraries' which are gradually being set up all over the world https://littlefreelibrary.org/? I only recently discovered that there is one near me, not within easy walking distance but on a car route to a nearby town that I use every couple of weeks. I keep a couple of books for swapping in the boot of the car now.  Little Free Libraries rely on give and take to keep their stock turning over.  There might be one where you are (search the map on the website).  

We first came across these on holiday in France several years ago.  Only ever seen a couple in this country when we've been out and about in the motorhome on holidays.  Brilliant idea.

Wicked_Lady

Broomstick said:

Can I put in a plug for 'Little Free Libraries' which are gradually being set up all over the world https://littlefreelibrary.org/? I only recently discovered that there is one near me, not within easy walking distance but on a car route to a nearby town that I use every couple of weeks. I keep a couple of books for swapping in the boot of the car now.  Little Free Libraries rely on give and take to keep their stock turning over.  There might be one where you are (search the map on the website).  

We have three local Community Book Swap places but only one shows on your linked map so maybe the others aren't aware of it. 

We also have a good FB Book Swap page, where you collect from outside the person's house.

Siebrie

We have a little free library in our village, which I use occasionally. I tend to only drop off books, as the selection that remains is not that great. Recently, someone apparently cleaned out their shelf of 'funereal bouquet making' and 'harlequin bodice rippers' .

The main village 5km away has the local library, which is well-stocked, and membership is free until 18, and only €3/year after that.

The library I absolutely love is in my hometown of Groningen. It's new and huge! See https://youtu.be/3AaS9NTxXaA for a good view. The escalators are like the moving stairs of Hogwarts! It has a children's library, a medialab, a 3D lab, a comics museum (for a fee), a cinema, a theatre, an auditorium, lecture rooms, meeting rooms, 2 restaurants and 2 bars (1 on the rooftop with a wonderful view of the city centre rooftops), a museum about the (past and future) development of the city (free),  several study rooms and corners, a vr-room, and 4 floors of normal library, with lots of nooks and crannies, and wingback chairs for snuggling in and losing yourself in the story you're reading.

weenancyinAmerica

I am proud of my library - it has won several awards in the last couple of years that are national awards. And a lot of the funding for the programs it has won for came from the Friends of the Library. I have been president for the last few years and we hold monthly book sales. We also have a very small book store inside the library. The local libraries have been closed on Saturdays - and we just got funding to restore the libraries to the pre-pandemic level. Wish our library was bigger - but we have 7 in town since the city is so spread out.

dreaming

Sadly, my council took the decision to close several of our libraries 3 years ago. The one i use in particular was very well attended being in the middle of a large ex-council estate which has a high population of both single parent families and and elderly pensioners. Residents tend to be at the lower end of the income spectrum so for some the library was a place to go and have some sort of social interaction and there were many children's activities especially in the school holidays, as well as the usual book borrowing and job clubs etc.. However the council decided it wasn't financially viable (along with another dozen or so libraries) so it was going to close. Fortunately there was a band of dedicated volunteers who firstly fought very hard to persuade the council to change their mind but when it was apparent it was "a done deal" formed a committee to take it over as a community library, and it is still open at the moment albeit on a part-time basis. At the time the rhetoric (from the council) was that it was either libraries or social services that had to be cut and of course it is hard to argue for closing a nursing home against a library. Sadly it seems there is still a funding shortfall for social services, along with public transport, the emergency services, and education, so I expect the next few years will see more council tax rises and more people struggling with fewer and fewer resources to assist them. Tough times indeed, and although there will undoubtedly be an upswing in the economy at some point my feeling is that for some it will come too late.

Kantankrus_Mare

I have used libraries since I was a young child. Was the highlight of my week to go the library and choose new books.
Now I pick my holiday reading from there as well as charity shops. One particular charity shop near me.....you can get 3 books for £1!!! I think thats amazing and have never understood how people afford to buy books at normal retail price. They arent cheap!! Apart from when my children were young and needed more attention, I always have a book on the go. Its one of lifes pleasures.
Browsing in the library this week, I spotted many books in the cookery section aimed at making cheap meals. Very apt for the current climate.