Ohh this makes me want to go to the library immediately. We put a story in the most recent issue of The Happy News about a library in Sweden that was accidentally left open when it was supposed to be closed for a public holiday. Library visitors turned up and just acted as they would usually, reading, checking out books (through an electronic system) etc before a staff member happened to walk past and noticed the door was open. All of the books were returned within a few days and nothing was left out of place. Respectful lot, library users!
Despite the ravages of cutbacks our Library still feels like a safe place. Happiest times for me were my boys doing their school's summer reading challenges there and collecting their medals at the very end. I borrow electronically now but if we ever have grandchildren (a long wait I think) , I shall be taking them there as soon as I possibly can!
I love the Libby app for this, Lou! Do you use that yourself? And yes to the reading challenges. Both of my girls have gotten so much out of taking part over the years.
Such a beautiful post, Janelle! One of the cutest, most unexpected things about the feedback to Dear Neighbour was how many people shared their nostalgic library memories with me after reading the scenes set in the library, which I loved. Walkden Library in Salford was an amazing sanctuary for me, one I'm so grateful to have had access to, and one that I wrote about (albeit in fictionalised format) in my story in Test Signal. So these reflections are making me realise how important libraries are to me too. Have libraries ever featured in your fiction writing? They're such liminal semi-mythical spaces I can see why they make such great settings for all sorts of writing!
Our library has a start up business scheme and you can rent/use rooms for free for your business as well as doing occasional free workshops (I went to one on Friday!) and networking events.
They are such fab places 🙌🏻🙌🏻 I also really appreciate their efforts to keep toddlers and babies entertained with singing, lego club and story time ❤️
I rediscovered the library again only recently and I have no idea why I hadn’t been there sooner. It’s 2 minutes from my house and a wonderful little haven. Like you, I used to love trips to the library as a child and I would hoover up everything they had. It’s nice to uncover that part of me again aged 38! Hurray for libraries and to using them so they remain an important part of our culture 📚
Yay! I think it is easy to sort of forget they are a thing.
I often remind friends when they say ooh I'd like to read that but I can't afford the hardback (or something similar). And I'm like GET DOWN TO THE LIBRARY! It's free.
2 mins away, that's brilliant.
Tbf my nearest is less than 10 mins away in the car which is pretty great.
And the audiobooks/e-readers are an added bonus too (as you mentioned). I listen to a lot of things on audible so I now check on borrow box first to see if I can get it there for free. It’s brilliant! 🤩
I'm often to be found scrolling on Borrowbox. I love the discovery aspect of libraries too. You can take a punt on something you've not heard of before.
I have a book to return to the today and I can’t wait. I love to explore the shelves and see what I might discover beyond what I’ve ordered. Libraries also smell excellent. I used to go to my local in Ripon with my mum and siblings on a weekend and I worked as a librarian at my secondary school. I had a shiny badge to wear and we spent most of our time tending to and repairing old books. When I went to Northumbria Uni in Newcastle, I spent most of my time in the library there. (Side note - what a rather similar geographic movement in life we had!) think I then lost my way a little with libraries for pleasure - as a teacher, my favourite place to be was still the library though with little time for personal reading, it was all work-related. I’m glad I’ve made the return now and feel so lucky to have one on my doorstep!
Was just thinking Ripon! Newcastle! As I was reading. Great parts of the world.
Totally! The discoverability element is something I love. And that you can just take it out and take a punt without having to um and ah or research it.
Yeah I remember feeling like that when I was studying. That I *should* only read course-related books.
Thankfully I've got over that guilt phase and love a mix of reading to learn and reading for pleasure. And I always learn from the 'entertainment' books anyway.
Ohh, you inspired me to visit my local library this afternoon! I so well remember visiting the library as a child, especially before our summer holidays. I’d be frustrated that the maximum amount of books was six, which was never enough for a three week camping trip with my parents. So I’d try to convince my little sister to put some of the books of my choice in her pile. Good old times!
A beautiful, evocative and affecting listen. I was right there with little Janelle between those towering shelves, sensing the escape and promise the right volume might bring.
When I was about 10 or 11, I took out a membership to Argyll and Bute's library service on Scotland's west coast. It wasn't where I lived, but each summer we went for a few weeks on my grandparents' boat (sounds glam but I can assure you it was anything but!) and I could not be without a constant stack of books to get me through the days and nights. I'd take the maximum out from one village library and then by the time we reached the next one, would be ready to exchange many of not all of them. I can almost transport myself back to my bunk in the bow now as I type.
My younger daughter went on a trip to the local library yesterday with her class, and I was surprised when she told me at the end of the day how many of the kids weren't already library members. She had a big stack to return and took some new titles out from her favourite sections, while others in her class were exploring for the very first time.
Here in Scotland we have a scheme that is run in partnership with the programme I develop at Scottish Book Trust. It's called Every Child A Library Member, and from birth, families are encouraged to pop along and set up their wee one's account. I think they. Might even help you with it when you register the birth! I don't know what the current stats are, but wonder what more we can do to make sure that families know just how rich a resource the library can be, for all sorts of reasons.
This is beautiful Lindsay. I feel like I've received a bonus post from you here.
This sounds like something from a book I'd want to read. It's like a pub crawl but way better. A library crawl!
I'm so pleased to hear this trip and the initiative your involved with is bringing in the next generation of members. It definitely feels a bit 'use it or lose it' at the moment which is so sad.
And yes, I think people just forget or don't know they exist. Perhaps partially deliberate?
Great blog Janelle 😊I have many happy childhood memories in the library and one of my first jobs was as a library assistant and it was great 😊so important to support them.
Ohh this makes me want to go to the library immediately. We put a story in the most recent issue of The Happy News about a library in Sweden that was accidentally left open when it was supposed to be closed for a public holiday. Library visitors turned up and just acted as they would usually, reading, checking out books (through an electronic system) etc before a staff member happened to walk past and noticed the door was open. All of the books were returned within a few days and nothing was left out of place. Respectful lot, library users!
Omd I absolutely love that. So wholesome.
Hope you can have some library time soon, Zabby!
P.S I had a great rainy run yesterday thanks to you
Ohhh that makes me so happy, thanks for letting me know. This weather actually makes me want to run! Not that I have mind you...
Despite the ravages of cutbacks our Library still feels like a safe place. Happiest times for me were my boys doing their school's summer reading challenges there and collecting their medals at the very end. I borrow electronically now but if we ever have grandchildren (a long wait I think) , I shall be taking them there as soon as I possibly can!
Aw yes the reading challenges!
Those sound like joyful memories, Lou.
Aw what better place could a grandparent take their grandkids?
I love the Libby app for this, Lou! Do you use that yourself? And yes to the reading challenges. Both of my girls have gotten so much out of taking part over the years.
I haven't heard of that one I use something called Borrowbox - thanks so much for letting me know about Libby though I'll check that one out.
I also need to look too! My library uses Borrowbox. It's pretty clunky but it's still free books so I'm never going to complain!
Such a beautiful post, Janelle! One of the cutest, most unexpected things about the feedback to Dear Neighbour was how many people shared their nostalgic library memories with me after reading the scenes set in the library, which I loved. Walkden Library in Salford was an amazing sanctuary for me, one I'm so grateful to have had access to, and one that I wrote about (albeit in fictionalised format) in my story in Test Signal. So these reflections are making me realise how important libraries are to me too. Have libraries ever featured in your fiction writing? They're such liminal semi-mythical spaces I can see why they make such great settings for all sorts of writing!
You know I don't think they have! This needs to be rectified.
Aw I love these shares thank you, Jane.
In fact, when I was in the library the other day they have changed the layout around. This meant that 'B' is directly facing the desk.
I turned around and what book is pride of place front cover facing out..?🥰
Dear Neighbour ✉️
You and libraries ❤️
This is adorable, thank you so much for telling me!
Our library has a start up business scheme and you can rent/use rooms for free for your business as well as doing occasional free workshops (I went to one on Friday!) and networking events.
They are such fab places 🙌🏻🙌🏻 I also really appreciate their efforts to keep toddlers and babies entertained with singing, lego club and story time ❤️
This all sounds brilliant, Kylie-Ann!
There are so many positive ripples that will come from these schemes, I'm sure.
Without your library, what would happen all these sparks and business ideas?
I rediscovered the library again only recently and I have no idea why I hadn’t been there sooner. It’s 2 minutes from my house and a wonderful little haven. Like you, I used to love trips to the library as a child and I would hoover up everything they had. It’s nice to uncover that part of me again aged 38! Hurray for libraries and to using them so they remain an important part of our culture 📚
Aww I can imagine little bookworm Hannah.
Yay! I think it is easy to sort of forget they are a thing.
I often remind friends when they say ooh I'd like to read that but I can't afford the hardback (or something similar). And I'm like GET DOWN TO THE LIBRARY! It's free.
2 mins away, that's brilliant.
Tbf my nearest is less than 10 mins away in the car which is pretty great.
And the audiobooks/e-readers are an added bonus too (as you mentioned). I listen to a lot of things on audible so I now check on borrow box first to see if I can get it there for free. It’s brilliant! 🤩
Excellent!
I'm often to be found scrolling on Borrowbox. I love the discovery aspect of libraries too. You can take a punt on something you've not heard of before.
Love love love. Whenever I visit new towns it is a must to go to their libraries.
I love to do this too, Linda! Ideally on my own. Ha. Don't want someone else rushing me!
I also find the library to be a place of calm for me 📚
I hope you have one nearby then, Christina. <3
I have a book to return to the today and I can’t wait. I love to explore the shelves and see what I might discover beyond what I’ve ordered. Libraries also smell excellent. I used to go to my local in Ripon with my mum and siblings on a weekend and I worked as a librarian at my secondary school. I had a shiny badge to wear and we spent most of our time tending to and repairing old books. When I went to Northumbria Uni in Newcastle, I spent most of my time in the library there. (Side note - what a rather similar geographic movement in life we had!) think I then lost my way a little with libraries for pleasure - as a teacher, my favourite place to be was still the library though with little time for personal reading, it was all work-related. I’m glad I’ve made the return now and feel so lucky to have one on my doorstep!
Was just thinking Ripon! Newcastle! As I was reading. Great parts of the world.
Totally! The discoverability element is something I love. And that you can just take it out and take a punt without having to um and ah or research it.
Yeah I remember feeling like that when I was studying. That I *should* only read course-related books.
Thankfully I've got over that guilt phase and love a mix of reading to learn and reading for pleasure. And I always learn from the 'entertainment' books anyway.
Ohh, you inspired me to visit my local library this afternoon! I so well remember visiting the library as a child, especially before our summer holidays. I’d be frustrated that the maximum amount of books was six, which was never enough for a three week camping trip with my parents. So I’d try to convince my little sister to put some of the books of my choice in her pile. Good old times!
Yay! This makes me so happy, Lieke.
Haha I love that.
When I moved to Lancashire I discovered we're allowed to take out 20 books!
I always seem to have it maxed out :'D, even though I could never read them all.
I love having a pile to select from, feels like such a luxury.
A beautiful, evocative and affecting listen. I was right there with little Janelle between those towering shelves, sensing the escape and promise the right volume might bring.
When I was about 10 or 11, I took out a membership to Argyll and Bute's library service on Scotland's west coast. It wasn't where I lived, but each summer we went for a few weeks on my grandparents' boat (sounds glam but I can assure you it was anything but!) and I could not be without a constant stack of books to get me through the days and nights. I'd take the maximum out from one village library and then by the time we reached the next one, would be ready to exchange many of not all of them. I can almost transport myself back to my bunk in the bow now as I type.
My younger daughter went on a trip to the local library yesterday with her class, and I was surprised when she told me at the end of the day how many of the kids weren't already library members. She had a big stack to return and took some new titles out from her favourite sections, while others in her class were exploring for the very first time.
Here in Scotland we have a scheme that is run in partnership with the programme I develop at Scottish Book Trust. It's called Every Child A Library Member, and from birth, families are encouraged to pop along and set up their wee one's account. I think they. Might even help you with it when you register the birth! I don't know what the current stats are, but wonder what more we can do to make sure that families know just how rich a resource the library can be, for all sorts of reasons.
This is beautiful Lindsay. I feel like I've received a bonus post from you here.
This sounds like something from a book I'd want to read. It's like a pub crawl but way better. A library crawl!
I'm so pleased to hear this trip and the initiative your involved with is bringing in the next generation of members. It definitely feels a bit 'use it or lose it' at the moment which is so sad.
And yes, I think people just forget or don't know they exist. Perhaps partially deliberate?
Great blog Janelle 😊I have many happy childhood memories in the library and one of my first jobs was as a library assistant and it was great 😊so important to support them.
An awesome first job! Wow.
Mine was in a garden centre 😊
Thanks Sian
Hooray for librarians and book sellers!
I bet there's so much more to it than we know...
There really is! We work closely with library staff and they are total treasures!
Oh yes! I was thinking this recently too