On Libraries

 Today I got my first British Library card. Signing up for my library card was one of the first things I did when I arrived, but unfortunately, I couldn't complete my sign up as I was lacking a proof of address that they would accept. I had to wait until my local bank card came through. Today I was finally able to go pick it up and learn about all the library services available to me! Having a library card makes me feel like I really live here.

I have worked for the public library system in both Edmonton and Calgary. When I worked for EPL, customers would regularly tell me how great our service was. They couldn't believe all the things that were accessible to them through the library for free. So many people think only of books when they think of the library, but the modern library is so much more. Through EPL, you can take out books, DVDs, CDs, and video games. Electronically, you have e-books, music services, online courses, online reference databases, online newspapers from around the world. Library programming for all ages and stages of life, assistance with your digital device -- laptop, tablet or smartphone. They have makerspaces with all sorts of digital tools and physical making tools such as 3D printers, sewing machines, woodworking and soldering machines. If you don't know how to use the tools, there are staff there to teach you. They even have recording studios for up and coming musicians and podcasters. All FREE with your library card -- which is free. I once had a customer tell me that he has lived in major cities all over the world and EPL was the best library by far. At the time I found that hard to believe. But then I moved to Calgary.

The Calgary Library has a fraction of the services that are available in Edmonton and a very different customer service policy. (I once heard a senior staff member mock people with mobility issues who complained about the few hundred extra metres they had to walk to enter the building by the "accessible" entrance. "What's the big deal?") But still, quite a few services available. I always encouraged my ESL students to get a library card and take advantage of the many services available to them, all for free. 

Even before I worked for the library and really understood the full extent of what was available, I was passionate about the library. I lived at the library when I was a kid and when my kids were young we were at the library all the time getting books and participating in kids programs. When I worked as a freelance writer, I used the library resources for research. I used the free courses to enhance my digital skills learning new software. 

So moving to the UK, joining my local library was a priority for me. The library system here is different though. The reason cities in Canada have robust libraries with lots of services and programming is because they are a funding priority. Particularly in Edmonton. The library in Edmonton is well-funded because the City understands the integral role the library plays in the community and all the ways in which the library levels the playing field so everyone can participate fully in society. That does not appear to be so well-understood here. 

My little borough, while we are part of the Greater London area, is not London. We have our own small government and the tax base of the borough. The population is roughly 180, 000. Not much of a tax base to support a lot of programs and services. The borough library system is part of a library consortium with a few other boroughs so that they have some buying power with publishers. This is similar to small communities in Alberta who band together in regions to pool dollars for those more expensive online services. Little do most folks know that publishers charge more for e-books than they do for physical books. Sometimes up to 8 times the cover price. Why? A physical book wears out over time and will need to be purchased again to replace it. E-books don't wear out. They won't ever need replacing. It's simply economics from the perspective of the publishers. Library associations have fruitlessly been trying for years to re-negotiate this with publishers. 

My little borough library can't afford to offer me all the fancy services my old libraries did. So why bother joining? Because for me, the library is still the heart of a community. It's still a place I can go to find wonderful books. I will find local authors here I didn't know about. I will participate in community programs and get to know people and hopefully make some new friends. And while it doesn't offer quite as many services as my old library, it still offers lots of great and very useful services. I am thrilled with my new library card. 

My new British library card




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