When did you last go to the library?

Adrian_Scope

My youngest is off to the library today and I realised I can't remember the last time I went. 

When did you last go to the library and do you go regularly?

66Mustang

Good question, that. I think I went to a library in 2011. I was trying to sell a MacBook to CEX and they needed me to provide a link or something from their website. This was in the days before getting internet everywhere via your phone (well, it was for me) so we popped into the nearest library to use a computer.

Adrian_Scope

Beaver79 said:

The library in my town closed and the nearest one is now five miles away. I have never been to this one. I now buy books and swop with friends.

It's a shame so many of them are closing. Five miles is a long way to travel and adds costs which would put most people off. 
Swapping books with friends is a great idea. Do you have set dates for swaps or just pass books along to eachother once you've finished? 

Adrian_Scope

66Mustang said:

Good question, that. I think I went to a library in 2011. I was trying to sell a MacBook to CEX and they needed me to provide a link or something from their website. This was in the days before getting internet everywhere via your phone (well, it was for me) so we popped into the nearest library to use a computer.

That was quick thinking, I'd have travelled the whole way home and forgotten that was an option!
Can you think of any reason you'd visit a library now?

66Mustang

@Adrian_Scope

I don't really read at the moment, but I would go there for books if I was a reader. We are fortunate to have a library in our town though it only opens one day every fortnight.

If I get to go to university in future I hope to spend time in the library looking into my subject!

We also have a church we go to sometimes where they sell donated second hand books for the benefit of the church. My family often take books from there and put a few pounds in the honesty box. It's a nice system. Once or twice, we couldn't afford to pay but we instead left several times more books than we took away so we felt we acted honourably.

L_Volunteer

I think it has been about 4 years since I visited a library! I was a student with pending deadlines and there was some building work happening where I live - too loud for me 

So I went to the library to focus. Now, as @66Mustang said, I would go to get books to read - though I have not done that in such a long time. 

Gutting to hear most libraries are closing/reducing their service hours though  Sensing a library trip soon to keep my local library open! 

OverlyAnxious

Probably around 20 years ago! 

I just never got into books.  Can't really visualise things through reading words alone, I'd much rather watch documentaries or films on TV, or nowadays use the internet for high quality images and videos alongside the words.

WelshBlue

I used to go once a week to pick 3 books at a time but got a kindle and started using that.
Mainly because the print became too small.  My wife reckons my kindle text is like a Peter & Jane book 
Free books from Prime keep me going with boxsets and free books from other sites

I still use the library for printing stuff out, 10p a sheet makes a lot more sense to me than buying ink that dries up from not being used

One thing about the library I miss from not going so often - the smell of books.  All those words in print

bg844

4 years ago (which was the first time for around 8 years prior), got told I was banned for abusive behaviour as soon as I walked in the door which obviously they mistaken me for someone else so never have or will go back. No need to go anyway.

Sandy_123

About 3 years took the grandchild I don't go personally as I use Google to find out things I Need

surfygoose

Thankfully our town fought and won keeping our library open 5 days per week. I love libraries. When I love house I’ll join the library in my new town. It’s great fun going and getting out new books.

Steve_in_The_City

I've used libraries all my life. I think the library service is a fantastic institution, part of the fabric of our society. I am sorry to see that some are closing. I use 2 regularly. For me, going to the library is a social occasion because I always bump in to people I know and can have a natter with. I went to the library on Friday for books. I was there again today, Saturday, because the library is part of a large complex and there is a lovely patio area attached where I can sit in the sunshine.

rustledjimm

I didn't go to a library for *years* until recently. I've got back into reading lately and with how money is even the small library my town has is just amazing.

AlexW_Scope

I love libraries too. I used to have a library just round the corner and went regularly. Now it's a bus into town so I've got out of the habit sadly. 

C_J

Wow never thought about that and I'm an avid reader but I haven't been to the library in years I've even got a kindle that I've not used in a long while as I prefer a book and I'm often looking in the charity shop for books.

AlexW_Scope

You can borrow ebooks and audio books from libraries too

Hannah_Alumni

We've been discussing what we've been reading over in The Book Nook, if anyone wants to join in!

Last time I went to the library was during my university years... I don't even want to mention how many years ago that was! 

iza

Hi, I love books and I can’t live without them. I went there about 2 months ago as it was only place I could go as all my friends were away from uk. I went to chill out and look for photo albums in hope I can gain my creativity vibes back ( I feel burnt out a bit at the moment as I list my creative muse). It was my first time since lockdowns. But I buy books always when I am in Poland or I pick up from swap box at one of local communities. 

StellaMoon

This discussion made me think that I really haven't visited the library for a long time. It upset me.

C_J

I think it's a case of how life has changed we now have internet, streaming, kindles lots more TV channels plus life has become more hectic I think people are a little busy trying to get by and make ends meet some people go on a kind of autopilot so the library is something people don't think of as often as the use to.

It kind of happened to the dvd rental shops life moves forward as does technology and a lot of the old traditions are not as popular as they use to be it's not a bad or negative thing it just how thing happen I guess. ( Or am I rambling lol) 

Cher_Alumni

@C_J Nope, not rambling  The technology revolution has definitely changed how we consume information. Life is a lot busier now, we can be entertained in our homes for hours upon end whereas before we had to go out and seek our own means!

I'm trying to instil a love of reading in my toddler so we go almost every other week, and I got him a library card when he was around 6 months old, ha. The library is a place I feel most peaceful and I'd love it to be a haven for him too in life.