MSE Forum Poll: What do you use your local library for?

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Our library holds many events throughout the year. Craft fairs, tea dances, help with your tech sessions; me time craft sessions; lego club, children's craft club; childrens bookbug on a Saturday morning; Toddlers rhyme time;Harry Potter nights; book clubs; author nights; board games sessions and there is usually a jigsaw out for people to help complete. Lots of people pop in for a coffee and read the magazines and papers. Sometimes there are coffee mornings or afternoons for people just to come and have a natter.There are computers to use and printers/photocopiers. Books can be ordered online and there is a home delivery service. Borrow book is available to download ebooks.There is a book sale table where they sell withdrawn stock and donated books which aren't going to go into library stock. I tend to use it to borrow books. I particularly like it so I can review a book, like cookery or crafts  before I decide to buy a copy. Borrowing other books means I am not adding to the clutter at home. There are few books I would read twice,so, why buy them? There are no fines for late return of books with our library service! 

twopenny

So many things.

I use the printers. Cheaper than having one myself and top quality 
And photocopying 
Obviously books but also...... I've used many of these 

Warm space 
Computer use including free Ancestry 
Lessons in using family history sites, computers, phones tablets etc
Lending iPads 
3D printer 
Code club
Scrabble club
Knit and natter group 
Magazines, you can request one you wish to order 
Help with employment searches 
Talks
Bridge club 

We have winter coat swap. As new coats free and donated

And a regular evening quiz.

So how do I pick one?

RAS

Another who uses the free Library version (world-wide) of Ancestry.

Scanning to memory stick.

Printing is cheaper elsewhere and they've had huge issues since the new printers were installed. But it can be useful.

Jigsaws, (they also have games).

Books often for research rather than borrowing.

Study space.

A warm space to break cabin fever.

An extra screen when editing files. And proof-reading when a different screen and typeface make it easier to spot errors.

Some other local libraries have cafes and the main one has OS maps which I find easier than Google earth etc.

The local history library is great for old maps etc.

vadek

ebooks and newspapers via Borrowbox. Magazines using the Libby app. I don't visit in person as much as I probably should. I used to be in there regularly pre-Covid, but now I just use online facilities.

Cloudane

Didn't use it, we lost it.  Or at least, it got closed with some excuse about electrics and a tiny version of it moved into the nearby concert hall.  

I regret it now.  I thought the Internet was the future of information, and it wasn't, it became the future of dis- and mis-information, and now "go read a book on the subject" is harder than it used to be.

It became a massive hot topic of great anger from most of the town's population, but what did any of us expect?  We didn't use it.  I'll wager that 95% of the loudest and angriest voices hadn't set foot in there for a decade.  Use it or lose it.  I was part of the problem.

Dizzycap

Emergency printing should my printer go into self destruct / panic mode 

SteveJW

I use my library to borrow books, borrow magazines via the PressReader app

Research family history using Ancestry and Find my Past

And very money saving they have access to Which on line

JiggleJiggle

Children’s books and for Children’s rhythm-time. Our local library is also a registry office.

ancientmum

I use our local main library for borrowing books and printing or scanning, for looking up information either physical or on line, preparing for our poetry group meetings and occasionally buying remaindered books, cds or dvds for pennies.  There are regular parent and baby groups, games, jigsaws, community events and craft groups.  The CAB use it to see people and you can access council services.

A nearby smaller library used to have a cafe and film nights which got lost over lockdown, but I have heard a rumour that the cafe is returning.  

Libraries are great social and educational resources that should be protected.  As previous commentators have said, use it or lose it!

Neil49

Y_am_I_Here said:

I would have clicked at least two of the options. This poll has been poorly set up ☹️

I agree. Aside from using physical library facilities I also download books and magazines to read on my tablet.