In praise of libraries
Some time ago Damesnet published a piece by Louella entitled ‘Library Disasters’. She described the complexities of online reserving, borrowing and returning and the problems that arise when you have the misfortune to lose a library book.
I am currently in love with my local library. It never fails me. I am currently reading the Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard; it is a quintet, and someone in our book group proposed the first volume – The Light Years – as our book of the month. I am not just hooked, I confess to total addiction. I confess to having gone way beyond Volume 1.
Sadly the available bookshelf space at schloss Dame B refuses to expand, which means that if I buy a book I have to donate an old one to charity to find space to put it. Having a daughter and son-in-law who both work in the publishing world means I am frequently given wonderful new books to read. So if I want to read something recommended from another source my only recourse is to order it from the library. The alternative is to keep all the books and turn the house into one of those weird places featured in schlocky TV programmes about hoarders, where you have to navigate your way round piles of stuff in each room with only a narrow route through.
Instead, all I have to do is go online, and order the book to be collected from my local branch. If there is only a copy available at one of the other libraries in the borough, a simple click arranges for it be transferred to my branch. When I receive an email notification that this has happened I trot round the corner and pick it up.
I am writing this on Good Friday. A couple of days ago, with the long Easter weekend looming, I realised in complete panic that I would probably finish Book 2 of the series – Marking Time – during the weekend and would not be able to segue immediately into the next volume, Confusion. Anticipatory withdrawal symptoms were already kicking in – the sweats, the hallucinations, the cravings. I promptly ordered the book to be transferred from one of the other branches and wonder of wonders, received the confirmatory email yesterday afternoon. I shot down to my branch and there it was, winking at me from the reserved shelves. Last night I was spared any agonies as I literally put Marking Time down and started reading Confusion at around midnight.
I realise of course that sooner or later – and probably sooner – I will have read them all, and just have to cope with loss and grieving. Rest assured that the next volume is already on order, so hopefully I will pick it up after Easter.
It goes without saying that I am incredibly fortunate: I live in London but am painfully aware that libraries are either closing or reducing their hours across the country. This is one of the results of the ‘austerity’ measures implemented from 2010 by the current government. Local councils on tight budgets have been forced to redirect funding to priority services such as social care.
With local elections looming, it will be interesting to see whether libraries feature in councillors’ manifestos. At a time when all public services are underfunded and under pressure, it is wonderful to be able to highlight something that is working well.
Praise indeed! We should be celebrating wonderful libraries that now have become Heat Hubs and Community centres as well as book havens. It grieves me to think of those branches closed to save cash. Criminal.
We here in leafy Cheshire are blessed and for a paltry pound any book can be ordered . In Stockport this service is free.
Almost as exciting as a real book, is the digital resource in our library called Borrow Box . This is free and simple to download to your device. There are thousands of E and audio books to choose from. It’s an amazing collection and one to recommend especially when the bookcases become too full…
Great idea Joyce! I’ll see if Borrow Box has come to Balham yet!
Dame B