We’re being faced with library closures due to the budget cuts that the Tory-led government is imposing on our local authorities. In Manchester it has just been announced that there are plans to close 5 libraries as a direct result of brutal assault on public services by the government. We don’t yet know which ones are closing. The same thing will be happening all around the country. So, what can we do to help alleviate the dwindling resources at our disposal during these times of ideologically driven public services reductions?
Well there are the normal routes to Parliament. Writing to your MP being one of them, also you could support the various campaigns happening all over the UK whose aim is to try and stave off as many library closures as possible. Also, in the face of inevitability of some of the closures, we have plenty of low or zero cost (to individuals) access to books online.
In Greater Manchester in particular, and hopefully being replicated in other cities and towns too, there is already an excellent online library system for managing your loans and reservations https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/forms/form/583/view_the_library_catalogue but also there is a direct route to getting books into your home via your computer or handheld devices, with an increasing range of titles of downloadable eBooks and audiobooks. Have a look at Manchester Library’s online books website http://manchesterdownload.lib.overdrive.com/
The website gives excellent guidance on what you need to do to be able to use their online sources, and it is actually pretty impressive what you can do. All the software that you need is there too. I use an iPad but you can also download to other handheld devices (check the compatibility list on the website), desktop computers (PCs or Macs) or laptops. The titles range from the classics to new publications, whether eBooks or audiobooks. I have been using the service for several months now, and the range of titles seems to be growing all the time. Everything is borrowed on a 21 day loan, same as printed books.
Using the download library will hopefully help those people who’s local library might shut through making available books that (a) their library might not have had on shelves anyway, and (b) save having to go to an open library a bit further away. It won’t cover all library services lost through the closure at 5 locations yet to be announced but at least there is an alternative there for people who might not be able to always travel to the libraries in the city that remain open.
For people not in Manchester, you can see if your city or town’s central libraries have similar facilities on their website or phone to enquire if they have a digital lending section.
There are also free books that you can download from websites like Amazon, via their free to download Kindle software. You don’t have to buy the kindle device if you don’t want to. You can view their books on your PC, Mac, laptops, iPod touch, iPad etc., because Amazon makes it’s kindle reader software available for a range of devices. So, once you have downloaded the Kindle reader application from Amazon.co.uk you can check their list of free books, or for a small price buy this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-books-Kindle-secrets-greatest/dp/B0048ELPBC/ref=cm_cr-mr-title which gives you lots of guidance and tips on where and how to get free downloadable books online from all over the world
I will update this blog as more information becomes available.
