I think libraries are wonderful places and I’m happy to say that Australian libraries stock my books. 🙂 I’m pretty sure all four of mine can be found in the Australian library system. They’re certainly in Queensland, and if you’re in another state and they aren’t there, ask your local library to order one … or two … or three … or all four.
I try to frequent libraries on a regular basis, borrowing all sorts of books. A visit to the library is often a school holiday event, as we go and borrow some books to read for the duration of the holidays.
Sometimes it’s difficult, though, if you have to wait for the book you’re looking for. I remember waiting quite a while for each book in The Hunger Games trilogy. That was a bit difficult, especially between Catching Fire and Mockingjay!
I’m happy to say that I don’t think I’ve ever taken a library book back late. I’m a pedantic person, so remembering the due date isn’t hard for me. However, I know some people struggle with this. Just today I found this article about a library book that was returned 124 years after it was borrowed. That’s a considerable length of time! I guess it can be easy to miss the library book sitting on your shelf and forget to take it back, but that a book even made it home to the library after that long is amazing.
What’s the longest time you’ve ever had a library book? Let me know in the comments below. 🙂
I’m pretty good with returning books on time but if I can’t, I ring the library and let them know. Mostly they’re fine about it. I love libraries too. By the way, I tried to get one of your books from the Caloundra library and they didn’t have it and weren’t planning to get it in. Would a phone call from you fix this? I was surprised.
Thanks for your blog post.
I don’t think a phone call from me would fix it. It would be more if it was demanded by the people who use the library. Try and send a few people in to ask for it and see if that works.
Okay, I’ll see what I can do.
Hi Lynne, I love libraries too. In SA they are now linked up as a single entity, so we can borrow or return books at any library we like. It’d be crazy not to go 🙂 I’ve had a couple of long waits for books, but only a couple that lasted months. And as for returning them late, a few times we’ve lost one and had to turn the house upside down looking for it, but they always get in the return slot at last.
Yes, we can return them to any library here as well. It makes it much more convenient. 🙂
After a while, they charge you for it and the book is yours to keep. (An expensive way to buy a used book though.) The longest between losing and finding a library book – maybe 2-3 years. Found under the driver’s side seat of my car. I’d looked everywhere for that book, including the car and, I thought, under the seats.
Glad you found it in the end!
The longest between losing and finding a library book – maybe 2-3 years. Found under the driver’s side seat of my car. I’d looked everywhere for that book, including the car and, I thought, under the seats.
I must admit, it’s been a long time since I borrowed books from the library. It would be over a decade ago. I love books too much to give them back after reading them.
Yes, I have that problem too. But you can find new ones at the library and then buy them for yourself. 🙂
I have just got into going to our local library again. I read a book that suggested another book and it took me a little while to realise that I could put it on hold at my local library and not have to dish out funds before I knew what it was like. Love libraries!
They’re great, aren’t they? 🙂
I was chatting to someone the other day about the ‘terror’ I felt as a child, going to a library. I think I was overwhelmed by the height and depth of the shelves and terrified of ‘getting it wrong’. When our own children arrived, I was determined to bury my own negative experiences (and perception) of libraries because I wanted them to share my love of books at a time when I couldn’t afford to buy indiscriminately. Imagine my joy when the local librarian offered my two-year-old son his very own library card! Every couple of weeks we left the library with about 15 books each, which we swapped for another lot long before they were due back. How I wish I’d discovered that delight when I was two. (I’m delighted to say my granddaughter has.)
I can remember being terrified of what would happen if I didn’t return a book on time!