As a kid, I religiously read and returned, and borrowed books within the stipulated times. I recall, when turning a certain age, I could increase the number of books I was able to borrow, and that was the best time of my little life.
I don’t remember when I stopped going, but the memories of a quiet, safe place filled with books (and that old book smell!) still haunted me.
Fast-forward 30 odd years later, and I find myself unemployed (happily so!) and exploring all manner of things such as indigenous plants as food, herbs as medicine etc. Not only do I get to absorb all this information, but for free.
I do! Not a lot though because I also love having my own library, which in today’s world of streaming and not owning anything while everything is also subject to bans and edits, feels like a personal rebellion. I do frequent second hand stores too and I treat them like libraries and blockbusters, being that both books and DVDs are cheap enough to buy, the difference being that you have the option to return it if you did not particularly like it or you if you did you may keep it.
In any case: I am a Gen X with a Millennial husband and we’re raising a Gen Z and a Gen Alpha. We have tried to make sure that they have a concept of the world that existed before all of our fancy tech (mostly because I think it is essential to understand that there are options and possibilities beyond what your experience of the world is, not because we believe any of it is inherently bad) so we have a walkman, vinyls, a DVD collection, and yes, we go to the library. Weirdly enough both my kids actually prefer physical books over digital options even though they’ve been introduced to everything. And they LOVE the library!
It’s not easy because the newer books are always out and libraries often have serious gaps in book series, but it has been fun!
I’ve recently returned to the library after a decades-long hiatus. I love it! I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to go back. I was like a kid in a candy story.
If you aren’t already using it I would suggest downloading the libby app which will allow you to request and reserve books.
Remind me again, I think it’s been 30 years also for me. I’m of that age where I frequent a clinic for this and that, nothing major, and the library is just next door like separated by a fence, I’m always in a hurry to get away from the clinic I forget the library next door
I’ve just started going again, first as a way to get my kids interested but now I am totally hooked. I am loving the Libby app and working through so many audiobooks, something which I always avoided due to cost. Our taxes at work!
Yes. Libraries are wonderful spaces to cpnnect, but they are also more than bricks. They offer amazing ebooks via Libby and online magazines via PressReader.
