News from Metheringham Library Autumn 2011

Welcome to our new improved library which seems to be lighter and roomier. We now have two self-service machines which are proving popular and even the customers who were apprehensive before the changes happened are impressed and like the new way of doing things. The general opinion is that they are easier to use than those in supermarkets and so far we have only had two library cards left in the machines and a couple of customers who almost left their new books behind but then remembered in time. As for the worry that the library would become impersonal, that has not happened as those who want to come in and out with no interruption can, but those who want to spend longer and interact with the staff are still able to do that. On the whole we have had far more positive comments than negative but as you can't please all of the people all of the time we apologize to the minority who do not like the changes.

We also have new improved computers with free internet access for public use. These take memory sticks and memory cards from digital cameras, so are a big improvement on the old machines. If you want to make use of this facility you can often just call in and they will be available but if you want to make sure there will be one free you can pre book either by calling in to the library or ringing 01522 782010. To pre book or use a computer you do need a library card.

We also have a new, more sophisticated, photocopier and printer which does double sided printing so effortlessly. A far cry from the old days when it was a lottery whether the double sided sheets came out upside down, back to front, the same on both sides or very curly from having to be fed through twice. It was never straightforward. It is also good that we have the facility to do size A3 as copies of birth, marriage and death certificates are too big for A4 paper. The prices for photocopying and printing are 10p for A4, 20p for A3 and 50p for colour.

Pauline Ventress