Libraries Do So Much More Than the Internet Can

Very few people hate libraries (except for those in government who want to cut costs, I guess). They are amazing community spaces. Books are almost an afterthought these days, as kids come in to play computer games, travellers use the free Wi-Fi, locals top up their Metro cards or pay council fees, and others flip through out-of-date magazines.

For me, it's like a café, except I don't even have to buy anything. I can just wander in, see who's there and who might wander in after me. I almost never go in, walk to my favourite armchair and work without being disturbed.

And that is a good thing.

I'm interrupted every now and then by someone I know who wants to catch up, or I earwig on a conversation of interest. Today, a young couple came in to ask about local walks and I joined in with Lindsay, the librarian, to suggest routes both on and off the map. It's hard to find information like that via Google or (shudder) TripAdvisor.

There's something about the library that fills my creative batteries. It might be a book that one of the librarians (hello, David!) has put out on display that Amazon would be clueless to suggest.

The library is a place where serendipity happens.

Unless it's Tuesday morning. Don't go in then — it's story time with the little kids and it's insane.