I went to the library today. It was the first time for ages. I used to go regularly, at least once a week but, some years ago, I wasn’t reading so much and I stopped. Then, there was a possibility of libraries closing, so I started visiting again. It was disappointing to see that there were far fewer books, but one could always order them – however, I’ve always used libraries to try out different genres and subjects – a fantasy novel or a book on chemistry, why not? Give it a go, I might love it or learn something, I just liked to browse and pick up something that caught my eye. If I found an author I liked, I’d buy their books.

I last visited about 3 years ago, pre-pandemic lockdown. I have no reason not to have gone back, just inertia. But today, I asked my sister if there was any shopping she needed? Or maybe would like to come with me? She was doing housework, but asked me to post a birthday card and deliver her books back to the library.

I’ll just digress for a moment, to say that the main reason I needed to shop was to buy matches, because no. 1 son had accidentally taken mine home, after lighting the bonfire and fireworks…

The library was lovely. I went to the desk, explained I needed a new card because mine, which I couldn’t find, was out of date. I gave my name and the librarian remembered me – her son was a friend of Ronan’s at middle school. I’d sort-of known her face, but hadn’t placed her, we had a good catch-up. As I went to choose some books, I asked how many you’re allowed, nowadays? 20, for 3 weeks. We laughed. But that was about how many I read, back in the day, though I bought several books a week and re-read them too. Still. And I have borrowed 8 books, or maybe 9, so I’m not sure what I was laughing about.

The other lovely thing was that there were three pairs of women, my age or older, playing Scrabble and it was obviously something of a regular social group. They congratulated others’ good words, were chatting and having fun, trying hard to do well but not being overly competitive. It was a good morning out. Libraries have to offer more nowadays, ours was built because of the generosity of a local woman, who donated £250,000, some 35 years ago, to provide a new one. Not many people can do solid good work, almost unsung, but Kathleen Bowerbank was one who did. She gave a similar sum, some years later, towards the building of the new doctors’ surgery and also gave, maybe bequeathed, I’m not sure, money for a meeting room at the town centre church.