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An English Library Journey. With Detours to Wales and Northern Ireland
‘A hymn of praise to the palaces of delight that should grace every street corner. Absolutely exquisite’
Ian McMillan
John Bevis is a writer and book-lover on an eccentric quest: to obtain a membership card from every library authority in England.
In a ten-year mission criss-crossing the country – from Solihull to Slough, from Cleveland to Cornwall – he enrols at libraries of all shapes and sizes: monuments to Art Deco or Brutalism; a converted corset factory; one even shaped like a pork pie.
With the architectural eye of Pevsner and the eavesdropping ear of Bill Bryson, he engages us at every step with anecdotes and aperçus about the role of the public library in our national life, while ruing its decline in the age of austerity.
As interested in the people he finds as he is in the buildings and their history, he is a humane, witty and erudite guide. The result is a book to be treasured by anyone who has ever used a library.
Ian McMillan
John Bevis is a writer and book-lover on an eccentric quest: to obtain a membership card from every library authority in England.
In a ten-year mission criss-crossing the country – from Solihull to Slough, from Cleveland to Cornwall – he enrols at libraries of all shapes and sizes: monuments to Art Deco or Brutalism; a converted corset factory; one even shaped like a pork pie.
With the architectural eye of Pevsner and the eavesdropping ear of Bill Bryson, he engages us at every step with anecdotes and aperçus about the role of the public library in our national life, while ruing its decline in the age of austerity.
As interested in the people he finds as he is in the buildings and their history, he is a humane, witty and erudite guide. The result is a book to be treasured by anyone who has ever used a library.
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Published March 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 7, 2022
John Bevis lived a dream I've had myself: he got a card for every public library in England, plus some in Wales and Northern Ireland. This book describes how and reads as a combination of travelogue, spatial planning critique, history of libraries, and social commentary on public sector cuts. As a library lover, I applaud him for seizing the opportunity to experience a wide range of libraries across the country. I've only been to one or two of those he describes, but am deeply familiar with the desire for library cards. Whenever I move somewhere new, my first priority is to join any available libraries. To date, I've collected library cards from 6 local authorities and 3 universities, plus one from the National Library of Scotland. (The university ones are all defunct now, unfortunately.) As a postgraduate student I considered trying to access every library in the University of Cambridge, but abandoned it as most college and subject libraries are tightly card controlled. In any case, there were so many books in the UL, a copyright library, that it seemed unnecessary. Edinburgh's libraries are great, but I do miss having generous borrowing rights to the Cambridge UL.
Anyway, I found An English Library Journey. With Detours to Wales and Northern Ireland very readable and relevant to my interests. As well as being a paean of praise to libraries, it is a chronicle of austerity's impact upon them. Bevis' library card hunt lasted from 2010 to 2019, during which time local authority budgets were cut severely and libraries (among many other public services) suffered as a result. At the end of the book, Bevis sums up the grim situation:
An English Library Journey. With Detours to Wales and Northern Ireland is thus a bittersweet read for anyone who uses and appreciates public libraries. The commentary on their importance, variety, architectural quirks, and charms is enjoyable and insightful, while the account of their decline under austerity is depressing.
Anyway, I found An English Library Journey. With Detours to Wales and Northern Ireland very readable and relevant to my interests. As well as being a paean of praise to libraries, it is a chronicle of austerity's impact upon them. Bevis' library card hunt lasted from 2010 to 2019, during which time local authority budgets were cut severely and libraries (among many other public services) suffered as a result. At the end of the book, Bevis sums up the grim situation:
If that sounds alarmist, let's consider a few facts and figures. Since the start of this library journey, 773 UK libraries have closed. About one in every seven of the remaining 3,583 is now community-managed. There are fewer books - less than 60 million, where there were 90 million - and half the number of book loans per person. A shocking 10,000 jobs have been lost.
An English Library Journey. With Detours to Wales and Northern Ireland is thus a bittersweet read for anyone who uses and appreciates public libraries. The commentary on their importance, variety, architectural quirks, and charms is enjoyable and insightful, while the account of their decline under austerity is depressing.
August 25, 2024
As a library worker, I found this book to be the perfect read. The author shares his journey across the country on a quest to acquire a library card from every local authority. What a fun thing to do! He provides insights not just on his visits to various libraries, but also delves into their histories for some. The visits are not in geographical order, which is unfortunate as it would make the journey easier to follow; however, he travels according to his wife's work schedule so it does criss cross the country! His travels took place over 10 years ago, so it's likely that library systems and regulations have changed since then, but it was fascinating to see the differences in how library authorities operate.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I wished it included more library visits. I was eager to read about actual libraries I'm familiar with, but they were scarcely covered - maybe it's time for a new challenge to visit every library! (I imagine there are probably fewer now than in 2011.) This book might not appeal to everyone, but for someone who works in a library, is an enthusiast, or simply loves libraries, it was a delightful read.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I wished it included more library visits. I was eager to read about actual libraries I'm familiar with, but they were scarcely covered - maybe it's time for a new challenge to visit every library! (I imagine there are probably fewer now than in 2011.) This book might not appeal to everyone, but for someone who works in a library, is an enthusiast, or simply loves libraries, it was a delightful read.
December 31, 2024
I suppose this is probably a niche read - but as I’m part of the niche, I really enjoyed it. John Bevis sets out to obtain a library card for all of England’s public libraries, plus a few in Wales and Northern Ireland. This prolonged project takes place over nearly ten years. As this spans 2010 to 2019, it is a telling description of how local government austerity, caused by budget cuts from central government, has adversely affected the British public library system.
It is also a travelogue, an architectural survey, a sociological glimpse of library users and library staff (including the volunteers who have taken the place of paid, qualified librarians in many venues), plus some local history. One of the main themes that gave me pause for thought was the diversity of provision, because public libraries are under the English local government system. I know that there are unifying bodies for the public library systems, but there should be a more unified approach.
Having worked in (mainly) public libraries all my life, I eagerly turned to the pages describing those i know - disappointingly, not many. No index - but the chapter headings are very comprehensive. However, libraries are definitely my happy place (especially now I’m retired!) so this was an enjoyable read for me.
It is also a travelogue, an architectural survey, a sociological glimpse of library users and library staff (including the volunteers who have taken the place of paid, qualified librarians in many venues), plus some local history. One of the main themes that gave me pause for thought was the diversity of provision, because public libraries are under the English local government system. I know that there are unifying bodies for the public library systems, but there should be a more unified approach.
Having worked in (mainly) public libraries all my life, I eagerly turned to the pages describing those i know - disappointingly, not many. No index - but the chapter headings are very comprehensive. However, libraries are definitely my happy place (especially now I’m retired!) so this was an enjoyable read for me.
March 19, 2022
I love libraries. In addition to being one of the few places left on the average high street that isn’t actively trying to sell me something, libraries provide a vital community service that extends far beyond the loaning of books. In addition to the loaning of books, ebooks, and audio books, for example, my local branch offers a community coffee morning, several craft sessions, a mother-and-baby rhyme time, and free access to internet-connected computers, alongside printing and copying services. It also doubles up as the local information centre. It remains, in essence, the beating heart of the local community – despite funding for its many services having taken a beating in the age of austerity.
John Bevis is clearly a man after my own heart. In An English Library Journey (with detours to Wales and Northern Ireland), Bevis extols the virtues of libraries and library services whilst cataloguing the challenges they must face as austerity bites.
Whilst taking a short break from his day job, Beavis finds himself working from several local libraries and discovers, quite unexpectedly, that, in many places, he is able to request a library card despite not being a permeant resident of that locale. Thus begins an eccentric quest: to obtain a membership card from every library authority in England.
Beavis’s quest comes with some unexpected complications. Some libraries, it transpires, have reciprocal arrangements that allow their cards to be used in neighbouring authorities. Others require evidence of long-term residence. Some have separate cards for visiting users. As Beavis travels around the country, the vagaries of unitary authorities and county borders become clear to him, as does the sheer variety of libraries and the scope of their services. From Brutalist modern structures to Art Deco Carnegie libraries, Beavis’s ten-year-tour takes in libraries of all shapes and sizes, and charts their role in public life across a turbulent decade.
Although occasionally whimsical, Beavis never veers away from confronting the challenges faced by libraries. He observes, for example, that many Carnegie libraries, although beautiful, are often expensive to run and challenging to adapt for the multiple purposes that libraries now serve within their communities. He also reflects on the way in which a library building has become more than a silent reading space. Instead, libraries have been transformed into community hubs and, depending on time of day and location, quiet is no longer a given within one!
Witty, humane, and erudite, Beavis makes for an engaging narrator and his quest – which eventually strays beyond the borders of England to take in Wales and parts of Northern Ireland – allows him to reflect upon both libraries and their users. Chapters range from musings on the structure of libraries to observational anecdotes about encounters with fellow library users, or conversations overhead between librarians.
Fans of Bill Bryson’s relaxed yet engaging narrative style are sure to enjoy Beavis’s work – his style has the same combination of fine observation and humane wit. Indeed, for anyone who loves their local library, Beavis’s gentle travelogue makes for a relaxing way to while away the hours until your next library visit.
NB: This review first appeared on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre.... My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
John Bevis is clearly a man after my own heart. In An English Library Journey (with detours to Wales and Northern Ireland), Bevis extols the virtues of libraries and library services whilst cataloguing the challenges they must face as austerity bites.
Whilst taking a short break from his day job, Beavis finds himself working from several local libraries and discovers, quite unexpectedly, that, in many places, he is able to request a library card despite not being a permeant resident of that locale. Thus begins an eccentric quest: to obtain a membership card from every library authority in England.
Beavis’s quest comes with some unexpected complications. Some libraries, it transpires, have reciprocal arrangements that allow their cards to be used in neighbouring authorities. Others require evidence of long-term residence. Some have separate cards for visiting users. As Beavis travels around the country, the vagaries of unitary authorities and county borders become clear to him, as does the sheer variety of libraries and the scope of their services. From Brutalist modern structures to Art Deco Carnegie libraries, Beavis’s ten-year-tour takes in libraries of all shapes and sizes, and charts their role in public life across a turbulent decade.
Although occasionally whimsical, Beavis never veers away from confronting the challenges faced by libraries. He observes, for example, that many Carnegie libraries, although beautiful, are often expensive to run and challenging to adapt for the multiple purposes that libraries now serve within their communities. He also reflects on the way in which a library building has become more than a silent reading space. Instead, libraries have been transformed into community hubs and, depending on time of day and location, quiet is no longer a given within one!
Witty, humane, and erudite, Beavis makes for an engaging narrator and his quest – which eventually strays beyond the borders of England to take in Wales and parts of Northern Ireland – allows him to reflect upon both libraries and their users. Chapters range from musings on the structure of libraries to observational anecdotes about encounters with fellow library users, or conversations overhead between librarians.
Fans of Bill Bryson’s relaxed yet engaging narrative style are sure to enjoy Beavis’s work – his style has the same combination of fine observation and humane wit. Indeed, for anyone who loves their local library, Beavis’s gentle travelogue makes for a relaxing way to while away the hours until your next library visit.
NB: This review first appeared on my blog at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre.... My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
July 17, 2024
As a recently retired head of an English public library service, I had a personal interest in this book. John Bevis’s account of his travels around the country in search of a library membership in each of the 150+ local council areas responsible for public libraries is part travelogue, part architectural tour, part paean to the range and diversity of English libraries and part rueful survey of the damage done to the service by years of austerity, a squeeze felt by local councils more than any other element of the public realm. It’s a fairly whistle stop tour, and I was disappointed to find that my service was one of those so fleetingly visited as to be barely mentioned. Bevis knows his stuff though and is an informed and enlightening guide to libraries and their remarkable ability to reinvent themselves to meet new challenges while maintaining their core purpose and principles.
November 19, 2023
I'm not sure why I loved this book so much as it is not, perhaps, what you might call exciting, but I just did. The author's writing style, his tone of voice, the overriding message, and humour. And the fact that it was all about libraries, my place of solace, made for a lovely, indulgent little read.
July 7, 2022
I was interested in this book to learn more about libraries but John Bevis looks at so much more too. During his travels he touches on architecture, history, society, politics and more. His book invites you into the daily lives of people in villages, towns and cities as they run or visit their local library.
Bevis charts trends in local government, design and marketing and eavesdrops on overheard conversations. He mines local history sections for distinctive stories and heads to the indices of social deprivation to better understand a place like Blackpool.
The book is also interesting as a record of a life well-lived. Bevis brings to the book a sharp intelligence and a keen eye. He reveals wide-ranging interests and knowlege from a life spent in small press publishing, printing, libraries, bookshops, painting and decorating. The book, the libraries he visits, the people he meets - the man himself too - are a great source of interest and inspiration.
In exploring and celebrating libraries Bevis has also done so much more. By the time I finished my copy was packed with page markers and notes.
Bevis charts trends in local government, design and marketing and eavesdrops on overheard conversations. He mines local history sections for distinctive stories and heads to the indices of social deprivation to better understand a place like Blackpool.
The book is also interesting as a record of a life well-lived. Bevis brings to the book a sharp intelligence and a keen eye. He reveals wide-ranging interests and knowlege from a life spent in small press publishing, printing, libraries, bookshops, painting and decorating. The book, the libraries he visits, the people he meets - the man himself too - are a great source of interest and inspiration.
In exploring and celebrating libraries Bevis has also done so much more. By the time I finished my copy was packed with page markers and notes.
August 9, 2023
A pleasant perambulation round the country and round the author’s thoughts, as a public library user, about public libraries.
It wasn’t quite what I was expecting - some of the sections barely described the library John Bevis was visiting, but instead plunged into a wider observation about topics like telephone box “libraries”, the trends in library card design, and volunteerism.
Pleasant but political / pleasant and political? Political and pleasant? Underfunding, privatisation and library closures could not help being a major theme, given the time period covered by the visits (2011-2019). And we’re still in that period now …
Three word review: Save Our Libraries!
It wasn’t quite what I was expecting - some of the sections barely described the library John Bevis was visiting, but instead plunged into a wider observation about topics like telephone box “libraries”, the trends in library card design, and volunteerism.
Pleasant but political / pleasant and political? Political and pleasant? Underfunding, privatisation and library closures could not help being a major theme, given the time period covered by the visits (2011-2019). And we’re still in that period now …
Three word review: Save Our Libraries!
April 21, 2022
Up until fairly recently, I worked for my local library service, so I had a vested interest in reading this. I also enjoy visiting other libraries, so it was with interest that I followed the author's fascinating library tour of England (with detours to Wales & NI) on his mission to collect as many library cards as possible. I was excited to see a photo and read about his visit to my library, although he only commented on the awful architecture (a view shared by myself and my previous co-workers!). An interesting read for anyone who enjoys libraries.
October 29, 2022
2/5 - okay, verging on bad.
I got this book for my birthday as I love reading and libraries and I was excited to read it and so wanted to love it. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
Positives:
- It's a really interesting, fun premise - to collect library cards from around the UK - and I enjoyed reading about the libraries he visited.
- The photos of a few libraries throughout the book. I wish all libraries had been photographed as I found this part fascinating.
- The subject matter. I love the subject matter of books and libraries and that's probably why it's a 2 rather than a 1.
Negatives:
- The focus of the writing. A lot of this book isn't actually about the libraries he visits, with many sections not even mentioning the library he got the card at. I think, for a book entitled 'Library Journey', this is a huge downfall. I wanted to learn about the libraries across the UK, not the drive to them, or the town they're in.
- The sheer amount of complaining throughout. While I understand that the situation around libraries (their funding, their closures etc.) is dire, I didn't enjoy reading the author's complaints about it on every second page. Also, there were no alternative solutions provided and those which have happened (such as community libraries, or sharing building space with other services) were also complained about!
- He never addresses how many people use (or don't use) libraries in the UK, which I think is the pertinent issue. I found out how many books Finns borrow but not British people! The copious complaining makes it seem like funding is being pulled for no reason and while this may be true, I would suspect that fewer people use libraries now than in the past, which has to be linked to the decline in funding. Surely this, then, is the central issue. Or one of them, at least.
- He never mentions borrowing books from the libraries he visits (and some places - like Northern Ireland - he does reside in for a while) but instead mentions buying books. I found this deeply ironic in a book about libraries as how does buying books support libraries? I even highlighted the quote because it shocked me: 'the time I spend in the library happily skim-reading convinces me I should buy the book'. Why not borrow it from your local library? Is this not a root of the problem for libraries - that people buy so don't need to borrow?
- Finally, I felt he was quite dismissive of wealth inequality. In Richmond-upon-Thames, he lauded their fantastic library and their ability to 'ride austerity with ... the wealth of its populace', never mentioning that this wealth disparity is deeply unfair. Meanwhile, when he goes to Hull and Blackpool, he mentions their poverty but, I feel, only in a disparaging way. While he discusses the need to 'cure Blackpool', he still doesn't mention the wealth disparity that I think is at the heart of the issue.
Overall:
- I wanted to enjoy this so much; I was so hoping it would be a 5* but it just wasn't. I think the only reason I got through it (and gave it 2*) was the subject matter.
- I unfortunately wouldn't recommend to people.
- I wouldn't read again but I'll probably keep the book as it was a well-intentioned birthday present.
I got this book for my birthday as I love reading and libraries and I was excited to read it and so wanted to love it. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
Positives:
- It's a really interesting, fun premise - to collect library cards from around the UK - and I enjoyed reading about the libraries he visited.
- The photos of a few libraries throughout the book. I wish all libraries had been photographed as I found this part fascinating.
- The subject matter. I love the subject matter of books and libraries and that's probably why it's a 2 rather than a 1.
Negatives:
- The focus of the writing. A lot of this book isn't actually about the libraries he visits, with many sections not even mentioning the library he got the card at. I think, for a book entitled 'Library Journey', this is a huge downfall. I wanted to learn about the libraries across the UK, not the drive to them, or the town they're in.
- The sheer amount of complaining throughout. While I understand that the situation around libraries (their funding, their closures etc.) is dire, I didn't enjoy reading the author's complaints about it on every second page. Also, there were no alternative solutions provided and those which have happened (such as community libraries, or sharing building space with other services) were also complained about!
- He never addresses how many people use (or don't use) libraries in the UK, which I think is the pertinent issue. I found out how many books Finns borrow but not British people! The copious complaining makes it seem like funding is being pulled for no reason and while this may be true, I would suspect that fewer people use libraries now than in the past, which has to be linked to the decline in funding. Surely this, then, is the central issue. Or one of them, at least.
- He never mentions borrowing books from the libraries he visits (and some places - like Northern Ireland - he does reside in for a while) but instead mentions buying books. I found this deeply ironic in a book about libraries as how does buying books support libraries? I even highlighted the quote because it shocked me: 'the time I spend in the library happily skim-reading convinces me I should buy the book'. Why not borrow it from your local library? Is this not a root of the problem for libraries - that people buy so don't need to borrow?
- Finally, I felt he was quite dismissive of wealth inequality. In Richmond-upon-Thames, he lauded their fantastic library and their ability to 'ride austerity with ... the wealth of its populace', never mentioning that this wealth disparity is deeply unfair. Meanwhile, when he goes to Hull and Blackpool, he mentions their poverty but, I feel, only in a disparaging way. While he discusses the need to 'cure Blackpool', he still doesn't mention the wealth disparity that I think is at the heart of the issue.
Overall:
- I wanted to enjoy this so much; I was so hoping it would be a 5* but it just wasn't. I think the only reason I got through it (and gave it 2*) was the subject matter.
- I unfortunately wouldn't recommend to people.
- I wouldn't read again but I'll probably keep the book as it was a well-intentioned birthday present.
April 4, 2023
John Bevis decides he wants to collect a library card from... Well, I kind of lost track of the exact goal. It's not EVERY library, but it's more than every library system ... His wife has a job where she travels a lot around the country and so he goes with her and collects his cards while she works. Essentially he fibs to the local librarians about living there, making the argument that he's staying there and would like to use the library.
This results in a Bryson-esque journey around England, with little descriptions of libraries and their towns, fun but nothing too substantial.
It's only through the accumulation of these stories, as the decade of the 2010s wears on, that you begin to realize the English library system is in grave danger. Libraries are being closed, privatized (what a mess), or turned over to volunteers to save the expense of employing librarians. The patchwork system by which libraries are funded is inadequate and confused.
This is honestly the first time in my life where I have read a book about some European country and thought, Wow things are so much better here. My tiny home town of barely 3000 people had, and still has, a lovely library. My current home city, for all its problems, has a wonderful library system. In both places, the libraries support all kinds of personal and economic growth that works be impossible without them.
In so many other ways, this country is withdrawing from the idea that anything should be "public." Remembering that England is in many ways or national parent, this book will remind you that the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.
This results in a Bryson-esque journey around England, with little descriptions of libraries and their towns, fun but nothing too substantial.
It's only through the accumulation of these stories, as the decade of the 2010s wears on, that you begin to realize the English library system is in grave danger. Libraries are being closed, privatized (what a mess), or turned over to volunteers to save the expense of employing librarians. The patchwork system by which libraries are funded is inadequate and confused.
This is honestly the first time in my life where I have read a book about some European country and thought, Wow things are so much better here. My tiny home town of barely 3000 people had, and still has, a lovely library. My current home city, for all its problems, has a wonderful library system. In both places, the libraries support all kinds of personal and economic growth that works be impossible without them.
In so many other ways, this country is withdrawing from the idea that anything should be "public." Remembering that England is in many ways or national parent, this book will remind you that the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.
January 27, 2023
I saw this mentioned on Twitter, so I (appropriately!) reserved it from the library. John Bevis made it his mission to try joining every library authority in England to gain a library card from every one. Travelling with his wife as she went about her paid job, he achieved this in about ten years. Some cards were easy to come by, and some less so. My own library is part of LibrariesWest, which allows borrowing from 7 authorities on one card, so this was one problem he faced, as registering with the first library in this consortium, say Dorset, prevents the same person from then registering in South Gloucestershire - but eventually he did achieve his aim.
I found the book to be a little dry at times, but I enjoyed the social history of the various libraries and towns mentioned, and got cross (again) at all the cutbacks libraries have faced. The book would have benefited from more photos, I think.
I found the book to be a little dry at times, but I enjoyed the social history of the various libraries and towns mentioned, and got cross (again) at all the cutbacks libraries have faced. The book would have benefited from more photos, I think.
April 10, 2023
I was easily attracted to this, combing two favourite areas in books/libraries and the English Journey (c.f JB Priestley). However, I did find it a bit disappointing until the second half when it got into its stride. The highlight, for me, in the first section was a description of the Carnegie libraries and what a great altruistic gesture that was. However, the various libraries visited are given a short description and very little extra to create interest. The second half Bevis seems to get into his stride and starts contextualising the location with references to activity and key people. The journey is chronological and so by the mid-point, about 2015, the government austerity programme is kicking in and many libraries are being closed or handed over to volunteer groups. This social dimension brings a new tension to the journey, that I found more interesting and made the journey to the end worthwhile. A generous 4 stars.
March 12, 2024
This book just wasn't for me. The author came across as kind of irritating, a bit dull and whilst he did a lot of research, he didn't even mention that most of the staff he met would not have been librarians. Most staff in libraries do not have degrees. We have a variety of job titles, mine having been a mix of Library Assistant, Library & Information Assistant and Library Officer depending on the current whim of the council.
For me there was too much about transport, architecture and the government and not enough about libraries. My library service is one he was annoyed he was denied a card for, as we are part of a consortium, so he never even visited us.
He did mention at the end that he realised his journey was quite wasteful in terms of car miles, but he didn't say it was also wasteful to collect plastic that he had no intention of using. It's not free to create library cards and it's no wonder libraries are so poor when people want to collect our cards for fun!
For me there was too much about transport, architecture and the government and not enough about libraries. My library service is one he was annoyed he was denied a card for, as we are part of a consortium, so he never even visited us.
He did mention at the end that he realised his journey was quite wasteful in terms of car miles, but he didn't say it was also wasteful to collect plastic that he had no intention of using. It's not free to create library cards and it's no wonder libraries are so poor when people want to collect our cards for fun!
March 7, 2024
You know, generally, I would just type five stars and that would be it, but in the back of the book, there was this lovely message from the publisher politely asking me to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. It was so polite and unexpected that I can't help but do it now. So, the review: Exactly what the cover and flyleaf stated, always nice. It's the true story of one guy going around and collecting library cards from every library authority in England. It's a multi-year process, but (spoiler) he does mange it. The entries are broken down by library and often offer comments on the architecture, running of, history of, and anecdotes of, the library he visits. Completly charming and wonderful, all of it. Can more publishers do that?
January 5, 2025
I thought that it was going to be like Robin Ince's 'Bibliomanic' book, but unfortunately not. I don't like to DNF books, so pushed through to the end, and found the end really interesting (and sad) about the cuts that libraries across the UK have had to endure. As a regular library user, the statistics really shocked me.
I was glad that the author's politics were similar to my own, if they had been different, I definitely would have struggled to finish the book as unfortunately I just didn't agree with the author's aim of collecting library cards from every County (ish). The lying about his residence, and sometimes the lack of using the library once obtaining the card, annoyed me greatly. Unfortunately not for me.
Borrowed from @nptlibraries
I was glad that the author's politics were similar to my own, if they had been different, I definitely would have struggled to finish the book as unfortunately I just didn't agree with the author's aim of collecting library cards from every County (ish). The lying about his residence, and sometimes the lack of using the library once obtaining the card, annoyed me greatly. Unfortunately not for me.
Borrowed from @nptlibraries
February 27, 2025
To finish this book was a force of will. I was not going to return this to the library without finishing it. Yes, it took me nearly a year (I'm a librarian, I have my ways). It's not that its not interesting, as a librarian I enjoyed hearing how American and English libraries were similar or dissimilar. I also enjoyed his furtiveness in collecting each card, hearing about the different communities, and particularly the library buildings. The place where I got bogged down was not knowing the communities, not having maps, pictures of each library, or the politics of English Libraries.
December 30, 2022
John Bevis set out to collect a library card from every public library he could in England. As well as being a hymn of praise to the joy that is the local library,it's a fascinating look at how local libraries are having to fight for survival and how they are adapting to that challenge. Also, a celebration of the public library and a great argument as to why they are still as important and relevant as ever. Yes, I'm a librarian !!!
December 16, 2024
I enjoyed this, but I do have a slight obsession with libraries! For other people, it may be too much information. The style is quite light, and there are lots of useful facts about the architecture and services of individual libraries. There's also some outrage at how many libraries are closed and how there should be more protection for these essential services.
November 28, 2025
The author set off to obtain library cards from every library in the country. Along the way we learn about libraries, their architecture and the people that use and administer them. Makes me want to visit more libraries!
August 3, 2022
An excellent and often hilarious journey around England (and beyond)’s libraries. A must read for library lovers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews