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

grandmanerd

I borrow books, mainly large print. I used to use an app to download magazines but haven't used the new one (wasn't reading the mags anyway). I used to go to an afternoon cinema club but I don't find the new chairs comfortable and have had to leave part way through the last two times I went. I also attended the evening film (once a month) but that's relocated to a new venue. 

There are exhibitions in one of the upstairs rooms and quite often there are free art activities based around those. The hub for all local authority queries (life Centre) is based in there and the old town hall has been taken over by the archives - permanent and changing exhibitions, weekly arts activities, a small cafe, a very active local and family history facilities.

I print things off at the library. They no longer charge for this or issue fines - you get told the books are overdue but no fine is issed. I do pay for books I've damaged (I frequently fall asleep with a book and sometimes with a drink in my hand).

There are lots of community groups using the library and social services and a local bank (the branch closed but there were staff in a room at the library part-time) have drop-ins. The local Councillors do surgeries there. It's a warm space and I also use it as a stopping point when I'm trying to shop / do errands (use the outside benches when the weather permits but it's nice to be warm sometimes.

They put on plays by travelling troupes, have book days with many authors, host health and other awareness days.
They have a tech club, have access to local authority jobs, Saturday clubs for children and extras in the school holiday, craft activities and much more. It isn't heavily used (the local authority hub is busy). Pre-pandemic there was a group of people who came every day and sat in an oblong space with mags and papers. I think they stayed all day. The layout changed a lot when the library reopened, the number of books on display is reduced (although they do try to rotate them regularly) and there are only groups of 4 seats. The noisy group never returned.

badmemory

I used to use my local library normally weekly for books & audio books (for the car) & ancestry.  Then of course like so many it closed.  The nearest in town with iffy & expensive & not nearby parking & no assistants to help & an interesting attitude to the alphabet.  At my age it got to be too much trouble.  A kindle/amazon win.

Nebbit

For reading newspapers either in the library or online, using the free Pressreader app

itsthelittlethings

I have to confess I really really enjoy people watching in the library.

twopenny

Grandma need I'd forgotten all that.
Yes the talks, exhibitions, children's activities.
It also houses the registrar.

It's a warm bright place to go with lots to do.

Bad memory, that's so sad.
I use the libraries in 3 villages nearby too. One is run by volunteers trained by library staff. 
And I go into the county one when I'm in big town because it has a brilliant cafe run by youngsters who for one reason or other aren't coping well teaching them about work.

sue54

Online access to FindMyPast for family history research, and Which? magazine for product reviews

PeteG76

Mostly borrowing books for our 5 year old. We regularly visit on a Saturday morning because there is Lego and story telling.

themadvix

I mainly use our council run library for borrowing books (far better than owning them all) and occasionally for online access to Which?

But we also have a local community run library of things, which is brilliant! Currently borrowing two tile cutters while we redo our bathroom and have reserved a wood fired pizza oven for Christmas week (I wanted it in the summer, but it was booked solid!). We’ve had games, other tools and a waffle iron from there in the past. It’s such a wonderful resource!