25 Things in 2025: Thing #5

[smallhobbit]

Use Library Plus

Last Sunday both J and I had books to return as they were finished - that's easy, there's a book return slot outside the library for that very purpose.  However, J also wanted to read the next book in the series, which I knew was available in our local library.

This seemed like the perfect opportunity to try out Library Plus, which enables readers, who have signed up to the system, to access the library outside staffed hours.  It's not 24 hours a day, but it is available first thing in the morning, early evenings and on Sunday during the day.  So, being brave, I decided to see if I could get in.  I think I had my library card upside down in the card reader near the main door, but I could still key my membership number in plus my code.  And the door opened!  It's only opened for 10 seconds but that is quite long enough to walk inside without getting hit by the door closing.  The lights and the machines were on, so I returned our books, found J's new book and departed.  Success!

I won't be using it very often.  Most of the time I'll be quite happy to walk to the library at times when it's open, which will get some exercise as well.  But it does mean, when I have a new reservation in, I shall now have greater options to collect it.

Comments

[just_ann_now]

WOW. I wish we had that here! Most times, like you, I am happy to go when they are open, but gosh, I can see the convenience in this.

[smallhobbit]

They only brought it in just before Christmas, so it's a new idea being trialled at only a few libraries. I'm lucky that ours is one of the branches that's being used.

[barbaratp]

Deve ser muito legal ter bibliotecas públicas próximo de casa e poder usufruir dela, uma coisa que eu claramente importaria com louvor de países estrangeiros são os modelos de biblioteca dessa forma. Acho lindo e fico triste que aqui muitas vezes as poucas bibliotecas existentes estejam no centro da cidade, muito longe da moradia das pessoas e favorecendo somente parte da sociedade (classes média) em detrimento de outras (classes baixa) como se uma tivesse o direito a leitura enquanto a outra não. Pra mim que cresceu achando mais livros e revistas no lixo e dependendo da leitura da biblioteca da escola, acho que o valor que dou a uma biblioteca pode ser maior até do que outros.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, we are fortunate with our library system, which is one reason why I'm keen to use it, because the more people who use it the more likely it will stay open. The other idea with our Open Plus is that students can come in and use the library where it's quiet rather than in the noisy family home.

[barbaratp]

Eu sou rato de biblioteca, cresci amando poder deitar no chão ou me sentar a mesa e ler algo enquanto passava o horário do recreio ou de uma aula vazia. Se eu sumisse na escola podiam me procurar na biblioteca porque lá era o lugar mais óbvio que eu estaria. Então entendo o apelo de poder usar ela em silêncio ao invés de um ambiente familiar barulhento.

[adafrog]

Cool.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you.

[apachefirecat]

Oh, WOW!!!!! I'm SO jelly!!!!! I never get to make it to the library with our schedules. This would be FANTASTIC!

[smallhobbit]

It is really convenient. I used it again last week to go in and pick up a reservation when I was going home after volunteering and it was at lunchtime.

[apachefirecat]

<3 Again, SO jelly!!! ;)

[rusty_armour]

Again, apologies for the appallingly late response! I love the sound of Library Plus. I have to admit that I've mostly been using my local library to reserve DVDs, but I wouldn't mind being able to access the library outside the usual hours. As you said, it wouldn't need to be all the time, but it would be useful if I'm on a morning walk before my library is open and can nip in to pick up my latest reservation rather than having to make a separate trip. Here's hoping this system (or something like it) is eventually implemented by the Toronto Public Library system.

[smallhobbit]

I notice they've cut out the early morning option - I assume it wasn't being used - but it's really useful at lunchtimes, after closing times and on Sundays. I've now used it a couple of times and am really pleased to have the possibility.