For many people, libraries are about so much more than reading. They are the cornerstones of our lives. Spaces of comfort, community and discovery.
One regular visitor to Little Hulton Library, Carole, has been enjoying its shelves and warm atmosphere for almost 60 years. Her library journey has been the story of a lifetime. Here’s what she had to tell us about her love of reading and what the library means to her.
It was 1966. I loved it. I’ve always been an avid reader, and the library was a wonderful place for me and the kids to visit.
The friendliness. And not just of other users but of the staff too! They make everyone feel welcome. When you see them regularly you get to know them, and they get to know you. They know the books you like and can give recommendations when you’re looking for something new.
[Carole laughs when I ask her this.] Well, according to Alison, library assistant at Little Hulton Library, I could get away with the perfect murder, given the number of books I’ve read in the crime genre. My husband makes sure to sleep with one eye open.
I like the way it grips you. The pacing is so fast that you can get stuck into it quickly. I’m in the process of re-reading every single J.D. Robb book, simply because I enjoy them so much. That’s not to say I don’t read other books. I like a few sagas, so I tend to alternate when I need a break from the thrills.
To me, I think a lot of it starts in school. In this digital age, it’s harder to get kids interested in reading. I would say to anyone that if you have borrowed a book you don’t like, take it back and grab another. There are no restrictions in what you can read, so just keep going until you find the one that grips you.
Absolutely. I believe it’s the most important part of the community. With the area developing as well, I think the library will be a vital part of that community for years to come.
The library’s a place to meet people. If you live on your own, coming to the library gives you a place to go and have a natter. It’s important to have that contact. Libraries are some of the friendliest places to be! When I’m here, it always feels comfortable and familiar. It’s also somewhere affordable to go to. With every book I borrow, I must be saving about £15–20.
J.D. Robb if you like a bit of crime.
James Patterson.
Danielle Steel – for books about family.
Nora Roberts.
For this lifelong reader, the library has become so much more than just shelves of stories; it’s her community hub, a place of welcome, and a doorway to new adventures and old, treasured memories that come with every borrowed book.
Also a lover of crime? Discover our friendly and welcoming Crime Book Club, held monthly at Walkden Library!
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