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12 reasons to love your local library

Libraries everywhere are under threat. After all, who needs a library today, when it is possible - without even leaving your bed - to find and read almost any book or article that has ever been published?

Libraries everywhere are under threat. After all, who needs a library today, when it is possible – without even leaving your bed – to find and read almost any book or article that has ever been published?

 

Here are 12 reasons to love your visits to your local library:

1. It is free

Not many things are still free these days. Libraries remain one place you can visit without it costing you anything.

2. Digital detox

A library is one of the few places you can go where people aren’t constantly using their mobile devices. Even if they are, at least they have the sound switched off. Here, you too, can disconnect, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

3. Shhhhh…

A library is one of the few places in this world where some peace and quiet can be found, if in search of some, this is a great place to escape to still your mind.

4. Find out more about local history

In small towns, residents absolutely love to know the stories behind certain names or landmarks. There is no better place to read up about them than at your local library. Most provide access to old newspapers, maps and out of print reference books and the librarians too are great sources of knowledge.

5. Research your family history

Libraries have free access to the website ancestry.com, allowing you to research your own origins without breaking the bank.

6. Free wi-fi

Take your laptop and surf the net for free or for a minimal fee you can rent one of the library computers.

7. Learn new skills

Libraries offer a wide range of classes and tutorials on everything from writing a CV to computer skills – just ask your local librarian for details.

 

A library is one of the few places you can go where people aren’t constantly using their mobile devices.

 

8. Discover new authors or genres

With the growing price of books in stores, most readers only buy authors and genres they know, rather than trying something new and wasting their money.

But because at the library you are able to borrow multiple books at a time for free, this makes it possible to try something new.

9. A great space for children

Every library has a children’s section and most host a free weekly story time event. Apart from growing their interest in books from a young age, it also gives children a chance to discover what sort of books they like and the freedom to make their own choices from early on.

10. You might just find ‘your people’

Picture this: You love birds. You visit the library to take out books on your favourite subject and notice a few other people in the bird section. Birds of a feather flock together, so prepare to meet like-minded people.

11. It can be your office

If you work from home, with 1,000 different things to distract you, it can often be a difficult place to concentrate. Not so at the library.

12. It might just change your life

When you are in a library, you are surrounded by some of history’s greatest and most creative minds. You are guaranteed to find something on one of the shelves that inspires you.

 

Read also:

Why do we celebrate library week?

 

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