tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post1736748168007024086..comments2024-03-24T09:13:28.758+00:00Comments on The Plashing Vole: Leave our libraries alone!The Plashing Volehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-65334186421070191982011-01-28T11:08:33.722+00:002011-01-28T11:08:33.722+00:00I'm in- already warned my boys that I'm dr...I'm in- already warned my boys that I'm dragging them to the library next weekend.Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09275520760565119121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-77165486863637815992011-01-28T09:29:02.127+00:002011-01-28T09:29:02.127+00:00I'd forgotten about the provision of computers...I'd forgotten about the provision of computers and things - very important.<br /><br />One area had a concerted day of action: they got people to take out every single book in the library on the same day - a brilliant idea. Who's in?The Plashing Volehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-82119569044620754472011-01-27T21:34:04.225+00:002011-01-27T21:34:04.225+00:00I've been having a bit of a think about this o...I've been having a bit of a think about this one.I agree that libraries, like public parklands, are important because they demonstrate that quality leisure time should be available to all and should not be dependent on wealth or status but I think libraries represent more.<br /><br />A BBC news report from May 2000 states that over 7 million adults in the UK are illiterate; that’s one in five of the population. There is a correlation in our schools between illiteracy and children from households near or below the poverty threshold. I appreciate that these children might not get taken to their local library but at least at the moment they have that choice. The closure of libraries must surely have a further impact on literacy levels. <br /><br />My local library used to run a parent and toddler reading group, a couple of times a week. A librarian would read and lead activities for parents and their little people to foster an early love of books. For some, reading to their children does not come naturally. Many lack the confidence to read animatedly and make it fun. These groups tried to encourage parental involvement with reading. It also gave otherwise isolated parents the opportunity to make friends.<br />Hopefully my library still offers this fantastic service. <br /><br />Libraries also offer the opportunity to try new genres of books without any financial outlay, broadening the reader’s horizon. Without my local library I might never have discovered Maya Angelou or Precious Ramotswe. My two most cherished series of books were initially library choices. I wasn’t expecting to really like either of them, but it was hardly a risk borrowing them for a couple of weeks to see if I could ‘get into’ them. <br /><br />Every three weeks, we would take our children to the library to get books. My oldest used to be a prolific reader. My friend still takes his five kids up to the library regularly. If he wasn’t doing this with them, they would be fighting over turns on the playstation. Which is the more life enriching activity?<br /><br />I admit I haven’t been to the library for a while but whenever I did, the computers there were always in use. Not everybody has a PC or internet access at home. For these people, the library is vital.<br /><br />Look at it this way; whether you use a library or not, to lose this facility would be a terrible shame. Maybe we should all get out there and use our libraries while we can, because once they are gone, they are gone. And just maybe we should all get a little more motivated and fight to save the things that we have under-appreciated for too long.Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09275520760565119121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-68206778956794472822011-01-27T16:35:05.134+00:002011-01-27T16:35:05.134+00:00My Mom enroled me at Bloxwich Library when I was 2...My Mom enroled me at Bloxwich Library when I was 2, and took me back every week so I could choose new books I wanted to read. I hadn’t really thought about this for a long time, but I think it was really important for me as a courious kid to have access to this information, and work out what I was interested in learning.<br /><br />I don’t know how many kids do this nowadays, I use Birmingham Central Library quite often to do some work, but don’t see that many young children there. I guess you can argue that many have the internet in their homes as a source of information, but I really don’t think it’s the same as looking around bookshelves as there are lots of other distractions on the internet and it’s not as pleasant as reading a book.<br /><br />Politicians talk all the time about social mobility and aspiration but closing libraries seems just about the worst thing you can do to if you want to bring about a more equal society.nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02378725336497139302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-38503069790653627092011-01-27T14:58:17.596+00:002011-01-27T14:58:17.596+00:00You are right, Voley. Earlier on I pondered what I...You are right, Voley. Earlier on I pondered what I said, which is why I'm now typing this comment on my phone in my local library.<br /><br />It's depressing. Shelves are bare, you can tell from the design it's been like this since the 70s and out of the handful of people in here, I'm the youngest by about 40 years. <br /><br />There are no baseball books either. Grim.Ewarwoowarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01188994060142858403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-11913414791982693942011-01-27T14:46:16.835+00:002011-01-27T14:46:16.835+00:00Not the biggest Pullman fan, but after this I'...Not the biggest Pullman fan, but after this I'd gladly wash his feet (not that he'd dig the symbolism very much). <br /><br />And it's always good to think of myself as part of a 'subversive institution', despite being chubby, middle-class and weak, oh so weak. <br /><br />They can only push us nerds so far...ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-10563331494632548962011-01-27T14:12:05.150+00:002011-01-27T14:12:05.150+00:00But you may use them again, or your kids if you ha...But you may use them again, or your kids if you have any, and you probably understand the importance of these things to other users, who need your support. I don't 'use' social services, but I know we need them. Nor do I use local buses, parks and other amenities. But I might, and I care about the people who do need them. That's the definition of a decent community: looking out for others.The Plashing Volehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13021407602157515927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-4335160203531150792011-01-27T13:36:14.569+00:002011-01-27T13:36:14.569+00:00love* not live.love* not live.Ewarwoowarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01188994060142858403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6153845628469776909.post-38948249117687008162011-01-27T13:35:36.464+00:002011-01-27T13:35:36.464+00:00This is a tricky one for me, personally.
On one h...This is a tricky one for me, personally.<br /><br />On one hand I totally agree with what you and Pullman are saying, and libraries are great. I originate from a town where the library is the biggest building in the town centre, and I was always in there as a kid taking out books.<br /><br />But that's the problem for me though - when I was a kid. As a "grown up", when did I last use a library? We're looking at about 12 years. <br /><br />I live libraries and I want them to be saved for others, but I would find myself a bit hypocritical jumping up and down with placards for something I don't use.Ewarwoowarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01188994060142858403noreply@blogger.com