The LRC

Do you remember when libraries contained books?

http://www.franklinparishlibrary.org/MPj04276860000%5B1%5D.jpg


You went to the library to browse for some books. You selected the ones you wanted and then you took them and your library card to the counter where they were stamped with the date they had to be returned.

For those that haven't been to the library lately then you are in for a big shock. They don't exist anymore. Some have been closed but even those still in existence are now not libraries.

Slowly without a big fanfare the libraries of our villages, towns and cities have been converted into LRC's. The LRC is much more than a simple library, it is a Learning Resource Centre. Libraries don't just contain books anymore. They have computers, DVDs, audio books, WIFI. They are places where quite literally you can access the knowledge of the entire world.

Checking a book in and out of a LRC is also a very different experience. You may need to do this with your fingerprint or if your LRC is not quite into biometrics you may scan the barcode on your library card and then scan the barcodes on the books. No more satisfying thump as the stamp leaves the renewal date on the inside cover of the publication. Renewing the books can be done on-line and heaven forbid you return some overdue items these can be paid for using the chip and pin machine. I paid a16p fine the other day on my credit card -priceless.

The other thing that has happened to the libraries (LRC's) over the last few years is that they have been relocated. My local LRC is now situated next to Starbucks in the towns main shopping centre. I guess this is to get as many people in as possible, although they are situated in an old book shop so I bet they have to keep telling people the books aren't for sale.

Libraries or LRC's or whatever they are called are important places in our community. Thy provide education, enjoyment, a chance for reflection, peace and quiet. We must support them and embrace change. So when you next go shopping pop in and find a good read.

 

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