little chickadee Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I've just been looking at a thread about Nigella Lawson's new Christmas book in the "All things Nice" section. My first thought was "I wonder if my library has it?" so I went onto the library website and reserved it. They have 10 copies on order in my county and I will be one of the first people to get it (after the first 12 but they will only be allowed to keep it a couple of weeks if there is a waiting list) I wondered who else uses the wonderful resource of their local library? I use mine constantly - I really don't know what I would do without it. I get free audio books as I cant read novels (poorly eyes) and my children are normally up to their borrowing limit. Recently we've had an autism diagnosis for my son, so rather than spending loads of money on Amazon, we've got books out of the library. If there is something we absolutely love and keep renewing over and over again then we buy it because it's worth having permenantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I've voted "never" because it was closed down and turned into a pub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I've voted "never" because it was closed down and turned into a pub. That's awful I don't know what we would do without our library, we use it every week, sometimes more, if one of us is on a reading jag. I very rarely buy new books, except the odd cookery or gardening book. Our library is very good about buying new books if you order one that the borough doesn't have. I love going to the library you never know what you are going to find Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Tarpey Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Couldn't agree more with you Tessa I love my libary it is great my bookshelf at home is overflowing and my libary provides me with free books works out both ways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I use my library every week. I usually go in when i'm shopping for a browse but usually come away with a book. I very rarely buy books because i never read them twice so seems a waste of money when i can just borrow from the library. My sisters are also very keen readers and usually take out the maximum 20 books every time we go in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I use it every week - cannot beat it new books every week for nothing! Cannot be bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I don't use the public library, it sucks. But I do use my school library a lot. Lots of new books (all the time) and you can always get a computer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbag Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I only use the school library too. Its just too far to go to the public library. I love books!! Kitbag xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 We are also regular users! Love our village library I just find it annoying that they do childrens DVDs - it's very hard to persuade the boys that they have to choose books instead of a Thomas the tank engine DVD. There have been several tantrums lately Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I love reading and use my library a lot, generally I take out a pile of books once a fortnight. Difference here is that you pay to borrow books, it's not free , but the hire charge is around $1 for 3 weeks, can be higher for a very new release though, charges also apply for CDs DVDs etc. Books over here are very expensive, typically around $30 for a popular fiction paperback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I hate going into Lowestoft library. It isn't a library. It's a youth club for badly behaved children who have obviously never been taught how to use a library or how to behave in one. I feel extremely sorry for the library staff who desperately try to police this riot but it can only be described as a truly awful place to visit. Bad language, children screaming at each other, mobile phones going off followed by more bad language. Hubby uses it all the time but I refuse to go there. I have recently discovered a lovely little library in Oulton Broad that the disgusting urchins haven't found yet. It is quiet and a very relaxing place to read. The lady in there was very helpful suggesting books for my son. I intend to use this library on a regular basis in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I love reading but I hate the library. It's too expensive as I forget to take the books back on time. I buy books from the boot sale or help myself from Mums bookcase. Mum uses the library - the one she likes is even open on Sunday afternoons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 Our village one is only open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday all day so we don't manage to get there every week but usually every other week. There is a big one in the town nearby which is open 7 days a week but I prefer our local. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 12, 2008 Share Posted October 12, 2008 I never buy novels (but occasionally pick them up in charity shops) so go to the library every time I need a "new" one . I'm lucky that I have 2 libraries within 2 or 3 miles of me and they've both always got a good selection in . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Rarely. I sometimes us the mobile library but its content seems to be aimed at the slightly more elderly woman. I don't drive so getting to the library in town is nigh on impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I don't seem to have time to read much at the moment, but prior to Bogwoppit's arrival I was an avid reader. We go to the library every week to sing nursery rhymes with other little Bogwoppits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I slowed down the usage of our library, so only go when we need to look at reference books. We had been avid users and one day the lady turned to me and said I hadn't paid for an overdue book 6 months ago and there was a hefty fine. I asked if the book had been returned and it had been - 6 months ago. Now as I took out 8 books at a time, I always wrote them down so that they would be all present and correct when returning them, so I know there wasn't a fine to be paid and in the unlikelyhood of that occuring why wasn't anything said to me when I returned the book? Apparently they had been undergoing a change of computer system at the time so the woman gave me "the benefit of the doubt". I said there wasn't any doubt at all! As a result I stopped going on a regular basis and now purchase my own books instead. We do have a very good mobile library service here in the village and mum (and dad) use it all the time - they were very helpful in finding my dad the type of books he was interested in which is all down to knowing their customers much better than the larger libraries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Never. Firstly,I like & prefer to own books. Secondly, I don't like the smell of well used books.And they are often a bit grubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Don't forget the occasional squashed bogey, Cinnamon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I love the library, but I'm hopeless at renewing the loan on time. I take ages to read a book (only a couple of pages at bedtime!) so a borrowed book costs me much more in library charges than it does to buy it from Amazon. So that's what I do! My daughters use the library avidly as they just read so much. Eldest daughter wants to read EVERY book in the library - some ambition! Our Performing Arts library is brilliant though and I regularly borrow music from there as well as orchestral sets. It's on Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, so it's a nice outing. I can have a cup of tea in the café and browse the wonderful shop there at the same time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 We use our local library a lot, it is within walking distance and they are very helpful about ordering books for the children. ED has managed to be the first with a brand new book a couple of times. They have a good system of 'Fastbacks' which are new book out that have to be back within a week, which is great for avid readers. We are also lucky to have a Red Cross bookshop within walking distance and we buy a lot there and then return them on a regular basis so that we don't run out of space. Well that is the theory but to see our many bookcases you wouldn't believe that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I love the library! we started going more regularly when DD was little. They often do activities and postively encourage the children to be noisy so that they aren't put off coming back by the need to be silent. Local OAPs hog all the computers as they are alwasy running free courses teaching older people the joys of the internet. Now i go all the time as i'm doing a home study course in creative writing for children so i need to read loads of kids books. I also belong to Leicester city library as it's the most gorgeous building and great for studying in. We used to go every Friday and get DD's homework done but now she tends to get homework that takes longer than a couple of hours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I've discovered it quite recently and get 3 books out every 3 weeks. I like to read books once mostly as don't want to know what will happen. I like the way I can read loads of books for free. The library is small and I tend to take pot luck rather than looking for specific books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Love it. Go every other week and have done since my youngest was 1 year old. 3 kids who each get the max 15 books each - so I am not a "green" library user I have to drive to lug them all home. My lot read them all within a few days. My 11 year old's favourites at present are Agatha Christie novels. I do request books too............in fact I got a copy of the Omlet Chicken book over from another library on request before I bought my eglu. I know libraries are noisier now than when I was a child. But in some ways I think that they are now more open, approachable for kids. As a child I was petrified of the librarian who would glare at me if I coughed. Now my kids settle down on bean bags, books scattered over the floor, reading or even play on the computer whilst I choose my books in peace. Great. Have to say, eldest daugher just started secondary school this Sept and her school library (with finger print ID for taking out books.... none of this old fashioned card business) is really well stocked and she goes in twice a week before school to get another epic to read. So it may just make my trips to the council library a little lighter with just 2 kids to carry books for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted October 14, 2008 Author Share Posted October 14, 2008 Love it. Have to say, eldest daugher just started secondary school this Sept and her school library (with finger print ID for taking out books.... none of this old fashioned card business) is really well stocked and she goes in twice a week before school to get another epic to read. So it may just make my trips to the council library a little lighter with just 2 kids to carry books for. Finger Print ID Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
