An integral part of our communities, libraries transform lives in hidden ways. Recently, I’ve been lucky enough to rediscover the magic as a parent.
I loved going to the library as a child. We’d go most weekends whilst I was in primary school, my sister and I would spend ages perusing the shelves, reading synopses and creating piles of books we wished to borrow that week. I loved reading. I’d stay up at night, reading as long as I could, only to be warned I was “straining my eyes” in the darkness and to “go to sleep!”, a mantra which would be repeated throughout my childhood.
Going to the library, for me, conjures up images of Matilda, sitting amongst stacks of stories, indulging in being transported to somewhere else. If you were fortunate enough to enjoy reading as a child, well, endless escapism to faraway lands and rich new worlds, with many introductions to an array of layered characters was your reward.
Growing up and getting older, the visits to the library lessened, my library card hiding further and further back in my purse. Soon the trips dwindled to none at all, and on with my life I went, buying books for my personal collection rather than borrowing.
Rediscovering the library as a parent
My son loves books. We were lucky enough to be gifted many children’s books for our baby shower, and again for Christmas and birthdays. We read together everyday, and have done since he was a couple of months old. Now, he can pick up the books and flick through them himself, soaking up the pictures and pointing out his favourite animals and parts of the story.
We’re very lucky to have a local library, however, it was really only in the last year that we’ve visited. My son getting his first library card was (surprisingly) a very proud moment for me, and he loves looking through all the stories at his disposal. Whilst he has a look around and decides which books have taken his fancy, I’ve taken to also looking for myself. As a result, so far this year I’ve ended up borrowing and reading many books, something I probably wouldn’t have made time for if we didn’t go to the library.
This has also saved us lots of money. Sometimes we borrow books and my son doesn’t really care about them, sometimes we have books renewed over and over as he loves them so much.
According to a new study by Better Libraries, the library users save £1,472 a year through free book loans, digital resources, Wi-Fi, and hotdesking and 96% of Brits say libraries have positive benefits, including helping children learn to read, save money, and reduce social isolation.
Speaking of which, we also love going to “rhyme time”, a free session put on by the library for babies and toddlers to enjoy songs and singing in a warm comfortable environment. It’s one of the most special sessions I think, especially for new parents who may have struggled to just get out the house that day. It’s a safe space to come sit and enjoy being outside of the house, keeping your children entertained and potentially meet other likeminded people.
Rather remarkably, not only is the library a great space for parents and children, but the world of dating seems to be flourishing as a result of libraries too.
The new dating hotspot? 1 in 7 young adults met their partner in a library.
New research from Better Libraries reveals a surprising new role for Britain’s libraries: as unlikely dating hotspots. According to the survey, 14% of 25–34-year-olds say they’ve met a romantic partner in a library, making these community spaces more effective than some dating apps at sparking real-world connections.
It’s part of a wider trend showing how libraries are becoming powerful social hubs, not just places for books. The same research found that:
- 32% of 25–34-year-olds say they’ve made a new friend in a library.
- 23% of millennials say they’ve found emotional support or a sense of belonging there.
- 18% overall credit libraries with reducing loneliness.
With rising living costs and growing digital fatigue, it seems many young adults are turning to libraries not just for free resources, but for real human connection, whether that’s friendships, business partnerships, or even romance.
Library closures are on the rise – so let’s support them.
Incredibly sadly, despite the integral nature of them, the UK is losing libraries at a rate of about 40 each year, BBC research in March 2025 has found. Between 2016 and 2024, 180 council-run libraries in the UK closed or were taken over by volunteer groups. Severe cuts to local government funding have forced councils to reduce library services.
Books and the resources that libraries provide, as well as the support that can be found there, are ever increasingly important as the world becomes more lonely and isolated with technology. We need to rally together and support our local libraries, and make sure generations to come can enjoy them as much as the generations before us.
Hopefully this post has inspired you to head over to support your local library and rediscover the magic of reading.
