Library services

Those of you who have read a few of my reviews will probably know I work in a library. Libraries are important to me ~ not just because they pay my wages but because I love books and also like to share this love with others. I don't claim to know everything about Library Services but I think, after over ten years in the business, I have some knowledge to impart about this very important public service. From being a little girl I apparently always wanted to work in a library. My mum likes to tell people (don't they just LOVE to tell others such things) how I had a little ink pad, stamps and library cards. I played libraries and all my books were in ...  Read the complete review

What a marvelous resource public libraries are. I've grown up with libraries as a big part of my life. My Mum is an avid reader, who goes through about 10 books a week so as long as I can remember Saturday mornings have involved trips round various libraries. Some of my regular readers may be surprised at this as one of the few areas which I have yet to write an opinion in is the book category. My one effort was sadly lacking, but maybe I'll launch an attack their soon. ~~~ My Mum & The Library ~~~ I think that dear old Mum would be lost without the library, it would cost her a fortune to buy all the books she reads. During the week she regularly ...  Read the complete review

I don't work in a library, but I do work for a library service. This means that I'm sorting out IT provision for a borough council's library service, and working on the cataloguing as well (in other words, I don't stamp books and I don't have to deal with the public - i.e. you lot!). Supplying the public with books has been the mission of libraries since their inception, but no-one can be fooled into thinking that this is where libraries are going. For one thing, libraries are where this government has decided the public will be getting free internet access (and my employers are providing this already). There are also things like word ...  Read the complete review

The resources available in your local library will largely depend on where you live and the available funding from your local Council. Some Councils have plenty of money and the facilities are excellent, while others have very little and the facilities are very poor. It really is a postcode lottery as to what’s available, however, most libraries still have a huge number of good books and certainly more than you could possibly read in a lifetime! I have the good fortune to have access to the Hornton Street Library in Kensington, London W8. (Nearest tube High Street Kensington for any locals!) This is really an amazing library right in the heart of London. ...  Read the complete review

***Updated*** 03/03/02 - see the end of the op Ah, the library. Perhaps the most underrated public service of all. People often seem to take the service for granted, but think about it - where else can one research, learn, relax, discuss, laugh, cry and stay out of the rain as it buckets down for hours on end? And all without charge. Well, okay, you do have to pay for certain services, but your actual reading is free. Surely only those highly odd people we all read about in the paper from time to time - you know, the ones who say, "I don't have a book in the house" and suchlike - could fail to be impressed by that. Now, the library service ...  Read the complete review