Let's talk about Kent Libraries

What do Kent library services mean to you? Tell us your story here.

• A great community space

  by Charsinc, over 4 years ago

  We use Hildenborough library regularly and have done since the children were babies. It provided me with a space to take the children and for them to join in with rhyme time, do colouring and for me to meet with other mums.

  We have taken part in the summer reading challenge and enjoy our trips to the library.

  Our Librarian is the best who takes time to get to know the users of the library, who knows what we would all do without him. He, and the library is a lifeline to so many people in the village and with... Continue reading

  We use Hildenborough library regularly and have done since the children were babies. It provided me with a space to take the children and for them to join in with rhyme time, do colouring and for me to meet with other mums.

  We have taken part in the summer reading challenge and enjoy our trips to the library.

  Our Librarian is the best who takes time to get to know the users of the library, who knows what we would all do without him. He, and the library is a lifeline to so many people in the village and with many elderly people being able to walk there and know someone will be there to chat with them, which could be the only social interaction they will get. As it's a village library you never know which friend you may see and parking isn't a problem.

  I would always prefer to take the children to the library than do things online, as much as it can be helpful at points I don't always find the service user friendly and want the children to have a love of reading books rather than ebooks.

• A friendly and relaxing place.

  by DanG, over 4 years ago
  Sittingbourne - I like that there is ample comfy seating for children and adults to sit back and relax with a good book, that there are user-friendly self-checkouts that even my children can use independently, there is a wide range of mental health leaflets available breaking the stigma. I appreciate the kind way in which the staff deal with my children's many questions and transactions at the desk clearly valuing each and every person, young or old that walks through their door.

  Sittingbourne - I like that there is ample comfy seating for children and adults to sit back and relax with a good book, that there are user-friendly self-checkouts that even my children can use independently, there is a wide range of mental health leaflets available breaking the stigma. I appreciate the kind way in which the staff deal with my children's many questions and transactions at the desk clearly valuing each and every person, young or old that walks through their door.

• Hartley library

  by Wops, over 4 years ago
  Hartley library is a lifeline particularly as we find travelling more difficult-particularly with the covid problem. The staff there are wonderful so please ensure that it stays open

  Hartley library is a lifeline particularly as we find travelling more difficult-particularly with the covid problem. The staff there are wonderful so please ensure that it stays open

• Wonderful place for children

  by Bighairbear, over 4 years ago
  We’ve been members of our local library since our first child was born, almost 11 years ago. A trip to the library has always been exciting for the children. We would sit together and read books and they had my undivided attention. I went to the rhyme time events with my youngest. We loved all the events the library would put on, at Christmas and in the summer, especially with the funny library lion! My children have loved doing the summer reading challenge each year. As I don’t drive, the library was a good place to walk to, to spend... Continue reading

  We’ve been members of our local library since our first child was born, almost 11 years ago. A trip to the library has always been exciting for the children. We would sit together and read books and they had my undivided attention. I went to the rhyme time events with my youngest. We loved all the events the library would put on, at Christmas and in the summer, especially with the funny library lion! My children have loved doing the summer reading challenge each year. As I don’t drive, the library was a good place to walk to, to spend a couple of hours with my children, without having to spend lots of money. When my children started school they loved an after school trip there on the way home, to have a read and change their books, and in the summer to take part in the reading challenge. We sometimes rent the dvds for our family film nights. My children are real bookworms, which having access to the free library books made possible. A couple of years ago I joined the book club there and have made some lovely friends. We kept our meetings up via zoom through the pandemic and now have 2 new members! Since the library hours have changed and my eldest is at secondary school she no longer has an opportunity to visit the local library as her bus gets in just before it closes, and on Saturdays she has a team commitment which means she leaves home just after the library opens and is home just before it shuts again. She really misses going with us as it was a lovely way to spend time together. The staff are all very friendly and helpful and the library always feels like a comfortable, safe place to be.

• On line Aid! Opens up a wealth of fun during lockdown!

  by Pdoran01, over 4 years ago
  Thanks to the help of two on line librarians , I got access to a wealth of audio books over lockdown which helped us keep our morale up! Lord Peter Wimsey was a particular favourite. Thank you ‘ Ask a Librarian’!!!

  Thanks to the help of two on line librarians , I got access to a wealth of audio books over lockdown which helped us keep our morale up! Lord Peter Wimsey was a particular favourite. Thank you ‘ Ask a Librarian’!!!

• Friendly Hartley Library

  by PS1973, over 4 years ago
  My 2 children and I have been regular users of our local library for over 13 years since we moved here. The previous 2 librarians, Rose and Jackie were extremely friendly and welcoming. Now we have Nathalie and Angela who are just as amazing! Always a smile, a chat when times are not busy, a friendly face or some helpful information. They cannot do enough to help. The loss of our library for so many months in lockdown was terrible; just when we needed it most! But understandable. Over the years, we have been to baby/toddler singing, completed in the... Continue reading

  My 2 children and I have been regular users of our local library for over 13 years since we moved here. The previous 2 librarians, Rose and Jackie were extremely friendly and welcoming. Now we have Nathalie and Angela who are just as amazing! Always a smile, a chat when times are not busy, a friendly face or some helpful information. They cannot do enough to help. The loss of our library for so many months in lockdown was terrible; just when we needed it most! But understandable. Over the years, we have been to baby/toddler singing, completed in the Summer Reading Challenges and met some wonderful friends through these. We rely heavily on the library, mainly now for books only, but are often worried this service may be lost. Which would be a tragedy more so for those who can't drive/walk far etc. An amazing hub of the village and long may it continue!

• Excellence in Westgate

  by LibraryLad, over 4 years ago
  I was a fairly regular library user before 2020, so really appreciated the Select and Collect service when the pandemic caused the closure of the local library, even though it meant travelling a little further then just round the corner. I am fairly convinced that it was the ability to collect books regularly which kept my mental health ticking over.

  However, since Westgate Library has opened again, I realise just what I have missed. The ability to chat to a familiar face about the chosen books, to get recommendations for further titles based on my own selections, to be recognised... Continue reading

  I was a fairly regular library user before 2020, so really appreciated the Select and Collect service when the pandemic caused the closure of the local library, even though it meant travelling a little further then just round the corner. I am fairly convinced that it was the ability to collect books regularly which kept my mental health ticking over.

  However, since Westgate Library has opened again, I realise just what I have missed. The ability to chat to a familiar face about the chosen books, to get recommendations for further titles based on my own selections, to be recognised and even have books (thought lost, but found in a cupboard) held for me for a few days is priceless. "Oh, it's you isn't it? Stay there!" Then I am handed "1984" having read "Animal Farm" just beforehand. No computer gives you that service.

  (I probably shouldn't say how good Tracey is, because she will be whisked off to a main branch somewhere - I'll leave you to surmise!)

  Thank you to the whole team!

• More Hildenbourough Library than books alone, it's a lifeline!

  by Margo5, over 4 years ago
  I have been going to Rhyme Time at Hildenborough library since my sons were small babies.

  
  Michael and Liza have created such a warm, welcoming, friendly environment at Rhyme Time on Tuesday mornings (Even when my boys were at an age where pulling all the books off the shelves was fun!)

  
  The library has been a bit of a saviour, especially during maternity leave which can be a lonely time. It's somewhere we can get together, sing with our children and make new friends, share experiences and just chat. Sometimes this can be the only social interaction we have all... Continue reading

  I have been going to Rhyme Time at Hildenborough library since my sons were small babies.

  
  Michael and Liza have created such a warm, welcoming, friendly environment at Rhyme Time on Tuesday mornings (Even when my boys were at an age where pulling all the books off the shelves was fun!)

  
  The library has been a bit of a saviour, especially during maternity leave which can be a lonely time. It's somewhere we can get together, sing with our children and make new friends, share experiences and just chat. Sometimes this can be the only social interaction we have all day.

  
  Hildenborough Library also have a great selection of childrens' books which are refreshed regularly. Our little library is fabulous - there's more to it than books alone, it's a lifeline!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• Safe Refuge

  by Bookworm, over 4 years ago
  I had a very difficult childhood and access to a library was literally a lifeline for me. Books I could not afford to buy provided a safe escape from what was going on at home, I simply do not think I could have survived it so well if I could not have opened the doors to other worlds. As I grew the habit of reading stayed with me and has provided a very wide ranging education. I would be sad beyond belief to think that children now would not have the same priceless opportunity that I had.

  I had a very difficult childhood and access to a library was literally a lifeline for me. Books I could not afford to buy provided a safe escape from what was going on at home, I simply do not think I could have survived it so well if I could not have opened the doors to other worlds. As I grew the habit of reading stayed with me and has provided a very wide ranging education. I would be sad beyond belief to think that children now would not have the same priceless opportunity that I had.

• Library service at Allington

  by Bond33, over 4 years ago
  The service is very good.

  New books have started to arrive and the old favorites are still there.

  One sometimes needs to access the internet via the library computer if your ISP has a mast down or there are connection problems.

  Printing is good.

  The staff are all very knowledgeable, very pleasant to deal with and very helpful.

  The building itself is well designed and location good.

  
  

  The service is very good.

  New books have started to arrive and the old favorites are still there.

  One sometimes needs to access the internet via the library computer if your ISP has a mast down or there are connection problems.

  Printing is good.

  The staff are all very knowledgeable, very pleasant to deal with and very helpful.

  The building itself is well designed and location good.