BOOK DEBATE #5: ON LIBRARIES

There's been a lot of backlash recently about how government cuts are resulting in the closing of public libraries all over the country. In today's book debate, I want to talk a bit about owning books vs. getting them from the library, and also why keeping libraries open is so important.

There is possibly nothing more exciting that going to a bookshop, browsing all the crisp, new books and bringing new books home. It is immensely satisfying to be able to look at a shelf over-flowing with books, building your own library and seeing how nice they all look together. I am all in favour of buying all the books imaginable, but that is just not possible. So, though new books and owning books aew so exciting, let me tell you why libraries are better.

LIBRARY BOOKS ARE FREE.

All these millions and millions of books that are free. Completely and utterly free. There's no signing up fee, no borrowing fee, nothing. In my library, the only times you ever have to pay for a book is when it's overdue or when you're ordering it in on an adult library card- and both of these only cost 40p. It is simply not possible to buy all the books you ever want to read, and that is why libraries are so important. Over 50% of all the books I read are from the library, because they have nearly every book I ever want and, like I've said, it's FREE. Everybody loves free books and, yeah, you don't get to keep them, but who cares, if it wasn't for the library you might not ever get the chance to read them.

Your average paperback book costs £7.99 (even more for a hardback), and who can afford that money every single time they want to read a book? I cannot stress how important saving libraries is. Libraries give millions of people the chance to access books (and often the Internet) and to learn and read and experience the joys of books who may not have the means or finances to do so otherwise. Libraries often host events to encourage children to read and to fall in love with reading, shaping them for the future. Libraries provide so many opportunities to everyone within society, enabling millions to access books for free. And not just books, libraries also provide quiet places to study and the ability to access the Internet, audio books, films and music.

Saving libraries is so, so important. The library was such a big part of my childhood, and I know this was the same for so many people, it's vital that we keep libraries open so that future generations can read and grow in the same way that we did. Give your local library some love, if it's in risk of closing, write to your local MP, start a petition, do whatever you can to keep that library open, because so many people would be lost without it.

Rosie