Free, modern and fun - give your local library a visit (Library services)

Member Name: edinburgher

Product:	Library services
Date:	05/01/09 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free books, free Internet, a wide range of services and groups

Disadvantages: Not all libraries are quite as modern in their outlook and have a huge pots of money to spend

Public libraries are a lot like Woolworths, in that a lot of people profess to love them, but the sales/visitor figures would seem to suggest that these same individuals maybe aren't patronising their local library. So, to borrow the Woolies allusion one last time, use them or lose them!

As a professional librarian I am aware of the love of the British public for a good public library, but honestly didn't realise the strength of affection for the 'brand' until I entered the profession. On a standard Library and Information Studies course these days a good 50% of the modules are directly related to the management and running of this sort of service. I choose to view this as something other than a shallow attempt to keep ourselves in jobs and that it points out again the importance of libraries to us all.

It's very easy to become polarised between loving and hating your local library as they are somewhat like people and come in all shapes and forms. My first job after graduating from a course in library studies was in a public library and it was truly awful! Boring, dusty books, a general lack of imagination and jobsworth staff whose time was monopolised by the same familiar faces day in, day out.

This was enough to put me off libraries for some time and it was with trepidation that I decided to take a chance and join my local library after relocating to the South.

My new library (Bromley) is a wonderful, vibrant space, with a well-maintained collection of new-ish books, great Internet provision for those that need it and cheerful, chirpy staff. In fact, they can sometimes be too helpful when you're trying to browse and this is my one minor gripe with the service offered.

My point is that the word 'library' covers a multitude of evils in our collective consciousness, from the lonely spaces where you don't feel at ease, to the bright modern facilities offered by a good library.

While I acknowledge that the oness is on us as professionals to keep our services fresh and relevant to our users, locals need to dip their toe in the water and visit if they want their libraries to remain truly public. As government tries to curb spending during a recession, the pot for public libraries is definitely not getting any bigger and librarians will have to become ever more creative in keeping their services up to date.

So join your local library, take advantage of their free services and try and support them by buying an old book, booking a class, or renting your DVD there instead of the local rental chain. After all, they're there for you.

Great services available at many local libraries:

Lots and lots of free books (to borrow)
Free Internet access with reasonably priced printing and the like
Music loan and rental
DVD rental
Book sales
Book groups (it's good to talk)
Classes and IT training
Community groups
Homework clubs
Local history help
Assistance with family history research

Summary: Great for an afternoon out, public libraries are vital but perhaps poorly used