Update about the local library fiasco

Gosh!  It sounds like that whole library opening hours saga is getting super-complicated.

I can't help but wonder; if there aren't many people who have struggled in on a bus to the library ...only to be disappointed on some days / times of day.

Do they at least have a book returns drop box type arrangement - for people to use when they arrived to find the library closed but want to at least return a loaned library book?  (I know one of our local libraries with partial opening hours these days has that type of arrangement - they introduced it during the Covid-19 pandemic and then kept it in place more recently - for when the opening hours become much reduced).

I don't use the drop box. How about yourself?

Also I can return books to different libraries.

I know some libraries are closing early or partial closure to the staff shortages. 

Some buses and trains not frequant and cancelled.

Mobile libraires are scraped due to an arson attack. Who's got 500k to get new Mobile libraires? Really sad.

Going to try and carry on using the library. Also visiting telephone box libraires exchange (which are all over UK and abroad)

A joke gone too far.

Nearest post office is a 3 mile walk ( in the past I had to do this as important documents had to be arrived within 2 days) 

What would you do in this situation?

DormouseAtRest_25 said:

Do they at least have a book returns drop box type arrangement - for people to use when they arrived to find the library closed but want to at least return a loaned library book?

I don't use the drop box. How about yourself?

Also I can return books to different libraries.

I know some libraries are closing early or partial closure to the staff shortages. 

Some buses and trains not frequant and cancelled.

Mobile libraires are scraped due to an arson attack. Who's got 500k to get new Mobile libraires? Really sad.

Going to try and carry on using the library. Also visiting telephone box libraires exchange (which are all over UK and abroad)

A joke gone too far.

Nearest post office is a 3 mile walk ( in the past I had to do this as important documents had to be arrived within 2 days) 

What would you do in this situation?

DormouseAtRest_25 said:

Do they at least have a book returns drop box type arrangement - for people to use when they arrived to find the library closed but want to at least return a loaned library book?

Oh, I do hope your exclusive tour at the cathedral exhibition proves interesting. 

If they have restricted who can attend the tour that way; it suggests their tours / exhibitions must usually be very popular.

Hope you enjoy your afternoon out.

Unfortunately the friends of the library group isn't active. 

This week I'm in a different town for an exclusive tour at the cathedral exhibition. In the afternoon I'll visit the library which is open until 7pm.

I have used the loaned library book return drop box at 2 of our area libraries (one in a large market town and another in a large village).

In our county library service - when you use the drop box - they subsequently process the return during the next open hours and an automated email updates you that the returned box was received.  I wonder if your library might operate a bit like that too.

The various opening hours of libraries in travelling distance each have complicated and different opening hours from one another. 

I got a bit fed up with this as it was too much too keep in my head.  I have made myself a document (which I keep on my mobile) summarising the opening hours of those libraries which I like to use if I happen to be in that area.

Now, if I am planning tasks / appointments on my mobile calendar - I can plan my other errands and journeys (using my library opening hours document as a prompt) - and then schedule a reminder to perhaps grocery shop on a different day / time - therefore, giving me the opportunity to beforehand visit a library (making economic use of the same journey as grocery shopping, or other errands / appointments).

I also use our library service apps for access to some eBooks and Audio Books if I am either lacking the energy to physically visit the library, or I have finished the physical loaned library books and it isn't a good day / time to visit a library.

Something else book-related: I attend a community service organisation / volunteering group and we sometimes fundraise with a raffle / tombola / bring-and-buy sale table.  Quite often, if we own a book which we have read and no longer wish to keep - we donate them to our fundraising activity.  Next time, when you buy a £1 raffle ticket; you can be lucky and come home with a secondhand paperback you would otherwise not have known about - a mystery read, if you will!  If it turned out to be a good book, after I have read it, I sometimes pass it on to a less mobile friend / colleague / neighbour / relative.