How lucky are we to have libraries?
I know we are also lucky to have Kindles and a wealth of online choice.. in fact Bradley and the Dinosaur exists out there far more in electronic downloads than it does in paperback - mainly because of the occasional ability to offer it for free in this format.
However - can anything replace that feeling as a young child, walking into a library, that first time you set eyes on a colossal WALL of colour and run to it, to explore the hundreds, if not thousands of books offered to your hands if you only reach out and pull one from the shelf?
A bit like pubs, and petrol stations and , well, some town centres, we think we can do just fine by using alternatives, and then one day we turn around to notice they are gone. Erm... can we put that back? Not likely.
I've already done one event at Paignton library, back in December, and it was a lot of fun. So really pleased to be going there again to read my stories... Libraries are just fab, aren't they? I'm also fans of Deepings Library, and Singing Frog Publishing has donated books to Totnes, the Scilly Isles, Buckfastleigh and Paigton libraries - and all copies of our books are now lodged at the British Library - so they will be around for perpetuity now!
What a fabulous service libraries give us. How great is that energy of kids running around and gawping wide-eyed at a book they've never seen before, or gazing intently at one they've read a hundred times already?
Anyway.. I'm sold on libraries...and hope you are too. I'm going to be going down to Paignton Library on the 21st March to read my stories and enjoy the atmosphere of our local library. They have a whole day of events. See our facebook page for the event details - come along, bring your kids and enjoy yourselves! There'll be plenty of things to do and the staff there are just wonderful.
While you're at it, why not bring a handful of change and donate it, and keep this wonderful library there for future generations to enjoy as well?
...and if you don't live near Paignton, why not take some time out this weekend to go visit your local library and get a book out? If you haven't done it for a while, it might rekindle fond memories!
Dinowishes,
Julian