Quizzes & Puzzles1 min ago
Are libraries important?
According to the news today fewer than 50% of children aged 8 - 17 read novels outside school, but prefer text messages and emails I'll probably be 'shouted down' for saying this, but I've never been convinced of the supposed importance of libraries, especially novels and fiction which are products of writers' imagination anyway. I've read and studied for exams, as I'm sure many others have, but don't find pleasure in reading just for the sake of it. What are your views about this?
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I find enormous pleasure in reading for its own sake, but I've never been a huge fan of public libraries. Maybe I've just been unlucky, but I've had dreadful 'customer service' time and time again - all over the country. Being ignored, tutted at, any requests being clearly far too much trouble, and the like. In addition, town centre libraries round here seem to have bust a gut to be haven for tramps, courting couples from minority ethnic groups, teenagers who want to sit on computers all day innit, while folk who want to read or research without disturbance are pushed to the margins.
I love reading, as does my son , and we get through a high number of books. I buy a lot of books secondhand or swap with friends, but my son likes to read the latest books by certain authors, and for this the library is invaluable as I can't afford to be buying half a dozen new books every couple of weeks!
i agree though, that service has not been very good
i agree though, that service has not been very good
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well, i have to say that i have never been a fan of reading, until a year ago...it is just happened, don't know how. but i like reading novels, it enriches your imagination. i even became more convinced after watching a movie based on a novel, oh i just loved the book more than the movie, cos i had pictured it in mind first.
there is always a first time, try it out :)))
there is always a first time, try it out :)))
Of course instant gratification from text messages is very popular. But that is a different question from whether libraries are important. Of course libraries are important to allow access to literature, away from the PC or phone screen. If they are not as popular as they once were it may mean that parental and school teaching needs to be looked at. Otherwise it is a great resource going to waste.
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Libraries are such important places and its a great shame that so few people seem to realise it. You can hire DVDs, CDs, download audiobooks for free, read about locations you'll probably never visit and be transported to different worlds and ages via an author's imagination. An exasperated mum can take her toddler to a storytelling group for free and those on restricted incomes can read the latest books without having to pay a penny. I grew up in libraries and am greatly saddened that this Government seems to consider them so unimportant. The first libraries in this country were set up by rich, Victorian gentlemen who wanted to give something back to society. They realised the importance of education and libraries enabled people to better themselves through reading. If reading's not your thing, fair enough, but libraries are a lifeline to so many people and once lost, will be lost for good.
