There's going to be a consultation from November until January about the libraries. They need to save money. By may next year a decision will be made.
The libraries could be run by volunteers (would they be trusted with looking at borrowers details on the computer, with a key or the key code?);
My suggestion is to have the library open for volunteers only to only collect reservations, shelving and sorting all of the books. Maybe Wednesday, Friday or Saturday (Saturday is closed until further notice); from 9am until 4pm example. You dont need a paid library assistant for this unless problems with issuing the books on the self service machine.
Library hours could be volunteers do a morning until the library assistant turns up. Limited to certain tasks. For example Thursday 10 until 11.30 volunteer only; then 11.30 until 4.15pm library assistant.
The library of friends could take over the library and run it. You need to have a DSB check and make sure have volunteers who are regular library users and trained properly. I get fed up with books in the wrong place (it trigger something in the past)
Keep on using the library to borrow, reserve and place of safe space.
Wondering where all the money has gone?
Have a spending cap on new books?
Must admit I use the telephone box exchange library which is well used.
My kindle battery lasts for about 18 hours, I had it shut down due to lack of power just when I was in a good and exciting bit of a book and had to wait a couple of days for the power to come back on and then recharge the kindle.
I've looked at things like book box at our library, it's not very good, you can wait months for a lot of books and the numbers they have seem to be limited.
Many of my books are out of print, or are more expensive to buy as e=books than they are second hand. I'm certainly not going to buy a non fiction e-book for a couple of pounds cheaper than a hard copy, when I'm not going to be able to see things like maps properly as they're an important part of explaining what I'm reading about. A couple of authors I read, whilst their books are in English they're set in other countries and I want to go back to the page that gives the pronunciation guide, this is far easier in a real book than an e-book.
Another thing I'm finding is that I sleep better if I read a paper book, than an e-book.
It’s such a shame that people aren’t reading so much, and those who do read for pleasure, aren’t reading so many physical books. I must admit, I’m an offender myself, as it is so much easier to buy a Kindle book and have it on my Kindle device instantly. I rarely go to the library these days, but I sometimes borrow their ebooks online.
I hope your library facilities can stay open. It is vital that everybody has the opportunity to borrow physical books free of charge.
I've heard this too and I disagree, I think charity shops are changing a lot of what they stock and are becoming less inclined to take a variety of good, one of ours want people to make an appointment to donate stuff, even if it's just one or two things. Many of ours are either closing or are selling very few second hand goods, raising prices and selling more new items. I can't see that it's due to a lack of demand as there are always people rooting through the few remaing books they do have and the book tables in super markets do a roaring tade, nothing stays for long.
Although lots of people do have e-readers myself included, I still prefer a proper book and it would seem so do lots of others as bookshops report an increase in sales, it seems people are reading more and maybe want time away from screens.
Vynil is making a comeback with some bands releasing on vynil and not just for down load.c
Personally I will never get rid of my library, I like my books and when we have power cuts, which we get 2 or 3 times a year abook is ideal as it needs no power, also quite a few of my books are out of print or as expensive to buy new as an e=book as they are a physical one, so I opt for a physical one. Also I prefer reference books in paper, as I want to flick back and check things or look at maps, which often don't enlarge on an e=reader.
Ebook readers do away with the need for bookcases. The books are also dramatically cheaper, which is probably a big reason for them, but you need to read quite a few to save the cost of the reader.
I prefer physical books, but I've run out of space.
I've also noticed that many charity shops are doing fewer books and not seemingly because of lack of demand or donations.
I had a big bag of books to give to a charity shop recently when I was visiting family in Scotland and there were about half a dozen charity shops on the high street but only 1 would take donations of books.
The others said there was no demand for them and they just took up shelf space, so maybe the Scots are less well read than you.
I did quite a bit of travel up and down the UK last month and I noticed there were far more people using ebook readers compared with physical books, so I think books are going the way of the LP and CD.
I suspect I will eventually get rid of my library and replace it with an ebook reader - it is tremendously practical and even though I like the feel of a physical book, it will save a load of space and you can get almost all ebooks free from places like Libgen if you just want to sample one and decide if it is worth buying.
I try and use my local libraries, but it's getting more and more difficult, they seem to wait for paperback versions to come out before buying new books, they're making it harder it order and reserve new books, they want to order from other libraries in North Wales before buying a new book, this has meant other libraries being reluctant to lend newer books.
I know public finances are stetched, but this seems to be a deliberate policy to run down library services, by a council that seems to know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
I've also noticed that many charity shops are doing fewer books and not seemingly because of lack of demand or donations.
There's tables of donated books in two of our local supermarkets, I find lots of books from these at a cost of about 50p a book, they're very popular and have a high turnover and raise money for charities.
