Public Libraries and Me
“Ethos of public libs is at the heart of what libraries stand for. Doesn’t matter where you work, it’s why you’re a librarian.” @meimaimaggio in response to @walkyouhome asking “What can we do to convince librarians from outside public sector that cuts to public libraries should be fought against?”
I was prompted to write this post after reading the above tweets about public libraries and librarians today. I’m studying Librarianship at university yet I could do much more to be supportive of public libraries. Do I need to use public libraries to be supportive of them? Probably.
Should I stop sitting in lectures discussing the great value of public libraries and actually go and make use of them?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/International-library.jpg
When I was younger, both as a child and throughout my teenage years, I was an avid user of public libraries. By the age of about 14 I had out grown the collection held by Wirral libraries and branched out to Liverpool libraries as well. I spent many Saturday afternoons as a teenager hidden away in a corner of the magnificent Liverpool Central Library reading everything from Lorca to Ben Elton. A particular favourite was the International Library which was the reading room in the basement space below the Picton Library. It was originally constructed to be a theatre or concert space, and retained the stage and tiered structure when used as a library stack. It was a wonderful, breathtaking space and I wish I could find a photograph to show this. I loved it here.
So what’s changed?
I am the owner of 5 different library cards but I’m not a regular customer. Whenever I move somewhere new I join the library. My library card then sits in my purse forgotten and barely used.
I didn’t borrow a book from a library in Coventry or Leamington whilst at university. I did however visit Coventry local studies library once to find old maps and I used Leamington library on a regular basis for revision when I was too lazy to get a bus to campus. Oxford was slightly better. Once I eventually joined, I borrowed books to read in my lunch break and discovered the joys of the dvd rentals. Things have gone downhill on the library front since moving to Sheffield though, I joined and then I walked out empty-handed because I didn’t know what to pick up.
I’ve tried to pinpoint why I don’t use public libraries as much as I feel I should.
- Lack of time is a major factor. I feel as though I have so much work to do that I don’t have time to read for leisure. Honestly I prefer to watch tv or listen to music because it is less stressful on my mind. Reading a book can be an intense and brain draining experience.
- I’m forgetful. When I was younger I was a naughty library user who used to accumulate very large fines because I forgot that I had books to return. So I started buying second hand books because it was just as cheap as the fines and at least I was able to keep them for as long as I wanted. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over this mentality.
- I’m a slow reader. Not so much an excuse but it is off putting to only have a certain amount of time to finish a book.
- I don’t know what to read. Whenever I go to a library I instantly have no idea what I want to look at. I often end up locating authors that I already know and love in the fiction section, only to realise there is nothing new. Browsing doesn’t seem to work in libraries and the books never appeal. Furthermore I don’t know what will be good or not. I wish libraries were better at telling me what to read because I have no idea.
I hope this hasn’t come across as a public library bashing blog post because I didn’t intend it to be. I have simply been reflecting on my own attitude towards public libraries recently as a result of several lectures at library school and all the wonderful campaigning happening to save these institutions. I know how important public libraries are in this country, how valued they are to many and how much of a difference a good public library service can do to improve lives.
At the weekend I’m going to give Sheffield libraries another try.
Finally a photograph of the Picton Library because it is very magnificent.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Picton_Library_internal.jpg
Not knowing what to read is so hard when it comes to libraries. They can’t display books face on as much as bookshops do because they usually only have 1 copy of that book. Plus, space is an issue. I’m currently doing ‘frontline’ training, which is a reader development programme. One of the things they encourage is face in displays but making sure that staff keep them current and looking attractive and relevant which will hopefully turn browsers into borrowers. Some libraries are really good at this and others…not so much. I always love it when people ask me to recommend them things to read, we have resources like ‘who else writes like’ which can recommend authors depending on other authors you like. Some people prefer to research what they want to read at home and then just come in with a big list.
I can’t wait to see Liverpool central library when it’s all finished, when I was last in it was so hard to find anything and there were no displays so it desperately needs the facelift. I think the convenience issue is a big reason why people don’t visit libraries, which is why opening hours of many need to be extended not decreased. I have to admit though, if I didn’t work in a public library I probably would only borrow a fraction of what I do. I think it’s good to get into a routine of visiting the library though, choose a day and time you know will be free every 3 weeks (or however long your libraries borrowing period is). You see so many people who always visit at the same time every week which is good.
Oh and don’t forget about online renewals! Our new lms is going to be capable of sending reminder emails to borrowers which will be good for busy people who often forget when their books are due back (like me, if I didn’t work in the library!)
This has turned out very long, but don’t feel guilty about not being a regular user! Being a member is at least a start
I don’t use my public library for precisely the reason you state: “I started buying second hand books because it was just as cheap as the fines and at least I was able to keep them for as long as I wanted.” Books are significantly cheaper than even a decade ago. Although when my daughter is born, I’ll certainly be grateful for the children’s library.
If using public libraries is perceived as a duty, not a pleasure, they have a problem.
I regularly use my own local public library yet am astonished that my work colleagues were so surprised when I said that I borrow books rather than buy them. They all buy books and, half an hour ago, I witnessed a discussion in the library between two people about where was the best local place to buy books.
I really like this post, especially as I’m a fellow collector of library cards! I also find that it’s often difficult to choose what I want to read when browsing, and I get frustrated when I can’t find things I want.
Lately, I’ve taken to searching my library’s online catalogue for specific items before I visit, and am enjoying requesting titles from other branches so I know that they’ll be waiting for me when I get there. I love buying books too, but we have absolutely no space left for books in our flat and are about to implement a one-in-one-out policy, so borrowing things I’m likely to read only once is by far the best solution!
I’m glad that my tweet the other day was so thought-provoking!
I too am always shocked at how little librarians actually use their local libraries – it seems like the idea never even enters their minds!
Yes, it may be cheaper to buy books second-hand or from Amazon and, yes, it may be very pleasurable to own and display books in our homes but isn’t it a commitment to spend that cash?
People are more likely to try new things, to experiment, when they don’t have to pay for them. This is the point of libraries I think. I would probably never have read any books at all if it wasn’t for public and school libraries – I didn’t grow up in a household with books.
The library lets me try new authors, new hobbies, new genres; it lets me form my own opinion about books that everyone’s talking about; it broadened my musical horizons immeasurably; it let me educate myself about cultural references. All for free. (Well, not exactly free for taxpayers but you know what I mean!) It doesn’t matter if you don’t know whether something will be good or not – just borrow it and see!
When I visit my libraries I just start in one corner of the room and then browse every single shelf more or less for things that catch my eye (serendipity is fun!). And I try not to borrow too many books in one go because I know I won’t be able to finish them all. I also set reminders in my calendar to alert me two days before my books are due, which gives me time to renew them online or return them.
I also have a bit of a habit of collecting library cards – at last count, I had 6! I’ve actually recently rediscovered my local library. I signed up when I first moved to this borough, but didn’t set foot in the library again for nearly a year because the woman at the desk was really rude to me. I always mention that anecdote when I’m talking to people about librarianship as a customer service profession – treating users as customers, and giving them a positive experience which will make them want to come back again, is so important.
I also find browsing a bit of an issue in public libraries, and certainly some do it better than others. My own local library actually does this really well, they’ve always got current, interesting displays. I usually search the online catalogue from home and reserve specific titles I want, so I only really visit the library when I’ve got a reservation to collect, but the last few times I’ve been there I’ve ended up picking up something from the displays to borrow as well – so I guess that approach works for my library!
Oh, and Emma – am in the same situation with book space in my flat so have had a one-in-one-out policy for a while! I find readitswapit.com quite useful for that
Emma,
I think you’ll find many librarians pay sporadic visits to their public library. I’ve worked in libraries a long time and started out years ago in public libraries. I used them far more when I worked in the sector and while a student.
I work in academic libraries so I can access content more easily than through a public library apart from fiction. I think the time factor is the main issue for me as well as the availability of so much content on the web and online book stores. It’s also nice to switch off from it all. I have so much to read and keep up with, never mind social media, that I’m not surprised my use of public libraries has tailed off.
Wow, lots of really interesting comments. Definately given me lots more to think about. It is good to know that I’m not alone either, I was starting to worry that I was the black sheep of the profession the librarian who doesn’t use libraires!
I suppose a big factor is how good your local library is in terms of its collection, and also the experience it offers. Compared to Liverpool Central Library every public library I visit always disappoints as the collection isn’t as vast or the building as magnificent and that will be even more of a factor when Liverpool is refurbished.