Guest post: Farnham Library, a fairytale library in the Internet Age

Pia Long first came to my attention when she wrote an excellent piece called “Are Public Libraries Obsolete?: The Shelf Life of a “Dream Vision” back in 2011. We talked to each-other about our mutual love of libraries and she promised to write a piece for Public Libraries News.  Here it is, sixteen months later.  I hope you’ll agree with me that it’s been worth the wait…

Farnham Library: the entrance to another world, with strangely appropriate Narnia lamp-post

It is perhaps unsurprising that one of the finest examples of a British public library exists in a Georgian market town that’s suspended somewhere between fairytale and reality (there are no fast food restaurants; the most popular shopping street is a cobbled alley and there’s even an avenue lined with Narnian lampposts that leads to a castle).

Farnham library is tucked behind gate posts and greenery on West Street.

“I think the best part of our job is how varied it is. Every day can be different: we could be giving advice similar to the Citizens Advice Bureau one day, and running rhyme time for children the next. I thought I wanted to be an English teacher, until one day I realised I was pretty much doing that here,” says Heather, 20, when we chat about her work there.

Heather always enjoyed reading, but wasn’t sure what sort of job she really wanted. She worked with disabled children, taught English and drama, but had a Saturday job in her local library at the same time. She started in Aldershot and moved to the Farnham library last year.

Why should we care about libraries, exactly? Do they not represent a traditional institution that’s rapidly approaching its expiry date?

“I know many people who could not cope without the public service that the library currently offers. Elderly people, unemployed people and many others. Not everyone can afford an e-reader or even to buy books – and we don’t just offer books. I’d say books are now less than half of what libraries are about these days. We’re someone you can turn to without having to go to the CAB or social services,” Heather points out.

“I know many people who could not cope without the public service that the library currently offers.”

It was clear this young woman is very passionate and idealistic about the public library service. People like her show that there’s still hope.

Libraries have been closing all over the country, when the current economic crisis may actually have been a great opportunity to revive them. Besides offering free community support to those who most need it, libraries are a welcome escape from consumerism. Shouldn’t we be encouraging libraries as an economically savvy option?

Connie agrees: “If you only ever buy books, you are going to be much more reluctant to try new authors. We can recommend similar authors here and the library is a risk-free way to try them.”

Now with extra deer and library cat

Connie has been working in libraries most of her life. She took a break to improve her IT skills, but returned to the library service ten years ago. I’ve arrived to meet Connie and Heather at the Farnham library on a beautiful spring day. We’re sitting together in a secluded area overlooking the back garden. While we chat, a deer stumbles into view and tries to get out through the back gate.

“He’s always here,” says Connie, “We’ve got a library cat, too.” Right on cue, a large, fluffy cat appears, to the delight of visiting children.

“Teenagers are the hardest group to capture, really. We’ve gone out to ask teenagers what they would like from their local library, and they’ve helped us order books that they like. We’ve got a lot of vampire fiction now!” She laughs.

“We did also attend a training course to help us improve that part of the service, and to encourage teenagers to visit us more. We’ve held manga workshops and things like that, which have been popular too.”

Heather adds: “One aspect of the library we’re hoping to be able to emphasise is that it can be somewhere to simply meet up; when you’re a teen you can’t go to the pub, you can’t always afford to sit in coffee shops, so this can be a good alternative. We’ve created a special space for teenagers here, which is a bit shielded from the rest of the library. There’s a coffee machine just around the corner. You’re allowed to eat in here, you can use the free wi-fi, and there’s enough space for several people to be at the same time. We’re not going to come over and insist that you use the space exclusively to do coursework or reading. We want to encourage people to see us as somewhere they’re welcome.”

There is something fundamentally civilised about a public non-commercial space, available to all regardless of age, ability, race, cultural, religious or sexual orientation.

One can make a case for libraries being very environmentally sound: instead of accumulating more books, or more gadgets, why not pop to the library and take out a book? You can even reserve and order them online; almost as convenient as ordering them from Amazon, except that it’s free and doesn’t support a company that refuses to pay its fair share of corporation tax in the UK.

The children’s library – a small welcoming space with a big impact

Libraries are also an important part of modern society. There is something fundamentally civilised about a public non-commercial space, available to all regardless of age, ability, race, cultural, religious or sexual orientation.

The concept of a library reflects community spirit and our natural desire to help others. Libraries provide a vital service which has been chillingly underestimated in recent times. Introducing your children to the library early on can feed their curiosity, inspire them to become life-long readers and help their development.

“My children have dyslexia, so I am very passionate about helping other people with similar problems. I really get a kick out of being able to help someone who comes in and says they feel stupid because they can’t read properly; and then to be able to show them that they’re not stupid at all,” says Connie.

“Not getting the right kind of help and attention with dyslexia early can put people off for life. A reading list from school can help, but the problem is that if a child feels it’s beyond their ability, they will feel inferior and intimidated,” Connie adds.

Connie thinks that using books for study and research is still very relevant today. “There is a certain discipline to be gained from looking things up in books. Whilst we obviously offer access to research using the computer, it’s also good to experience that side of things. It makes you focus on what you’re reading and the information can sometimes be more credible. Anyone can set up a website and Wikipedia isn’t the most reliable source,” she says.

You can access the full contents of Encyclopedia Britannica from your home computer via the local library website, just by entering your library card number. This could be an invaluable free tool to help with homework and other research. I ask Connie and Heather whether they think people are really fully aware of the extent of services available at the local library these days.

Not as traditional as it appears

“We do often go out to areas where people wouldn’t normally think of coming to the library at all or as often, and approach them directly. We also do school visits,” says Connie. “Some people still have this image of libraries being staffed by old ladies wearing buns on their heads. They are often surprised to find out that libraries have moved on and people aren’t hushed to keep quiet. There are so many other things like the DVDs, audio books, computers and different technologies on offer, too.”

It isn’t just school children who benefit from the study and reference materials available via the library service. Anyone who needs to conduct research should be a frequent visitor to their local library, according to Heather. “Most people can’t afford or wouldn’t want to buy several expensive text or reference books on the same topic,” says Heather. “The library is an ideal place to cross-reference.”

Talking with Connie and Heather, one could be lulled into a false belief that public libraries are just fine, and not under any threat. I ask them what they feel would be necessary for libraries to thrive.

“We have to be able to address young people because they are our future readers,” says Connie. “It’s also important to embrace all the technologies and not be left behind,” she adds.

“The fundamental point I’d like to make is that we offer so many vital free services to people that it’s important to keep the library service going”