LibraryOn

“These people gave me my life back” – Hear Ian’s story about the Reading for Wellbeing group at his local library, @gatesheadlibraries . Did you know many libraries run book groups, craft circles and other ways for people of all ages to get together? Follow @libraryonuk for more inspirational stories. Funded by Arts Council England and powered by the British Library. #BritishLibrary #Library #LibraryOn #LonelinessAwarenessWeek

Librarians, the original search engine [Media description: The words: How to play guitar? being entered into a search engine, before a librarian pops up with a pile of relevant books.]

Tim from @northlincolnshirelibraries busts two library myths. Filmed in Scunthorpe Central Library. [Media description: Tim, a middle-aged man with glasses, wearing a black jumper and beige trousers, is sitting in front of a shelf teeming with books.]

Gardening can help create moments of calm, routine and connection, and public libraries are a great place to begin. Whether its gardening books, seed swaps, growing clubs or community projects, libraries are full of ways to slow down, step outside and get your hands dirty. No garden? No problem. A potted plant counts. So does sitting in the park and reading about tomatoes. Find your local library this Mental Health Awareness Month and start growing something good. Quotes from library users in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Kent and Bournemouth. Photos of beautiful gardens at Bootle and Formby libraries (Sefton), Forest Hall and Howden libraries (North Tyneside), Library@The Grange (Blackpool), and March Library (Cambridgeshire). [Media description: Carousel of images of library gardens with quotes superimposed: Green spaces make my heart feel happier; Plants make me feel connected to something bigger and more wonderful; People need plants and plants need people. Without plants, where would we be?; Plants make me feel calmer and give me hope as they grow throughout the year; When the plants begin to grow it makes me feel excited and proud.]

Came for the books… stayed for the outdoor space Does your library have an outdoor space? Tag your favourite library below 🌻 You never know what you’ll discover when you step inside your local library. Find your nearest location via the link in our bio.

Who do you think you are? Every family has stories waiting to be found and many libraries offer free access to family history resources, archives and tools such as @ancestryuk and @findmypast to help you start exploring. See how your local library can help you dig up your past by using our library finder, the link is in our bio. What are you looking for? It might be in the library. [Media description: An animation that says: A library that uncovers your family history? Yep, really.]

My library is… a time capsule Did you know that many libraries around the country offer free, exclusive access to BFI Replay? You can browse and watch 100s of archive film footage. This VE Day, we look back at a clip which shows a Newham resident shares her memories of life during World War II. If you want to find your nearest library with BFI Replay access, visit the link in our bio. Film courtesy of @film_london [Media description: A woman sat in a chair in front of a green backdrop talking to a camera.]

What did my library card give me access to this month? Making zines? Find it at the library. Free period products? Find it at the library. Microfilm records? Find it at the library. Citizenship or Life in the UK tests? Find it at the library. Your library card can unlock some of these things and more, for free. What are you looking for? It might be in the library. 🎥 filmed at @leedslibraries , wemakecamden, @nottmcentrallibrary (@nottmlibraries ), @bhlibraries . [Media description: A panning shot of a library interior with the words: What did my library card give me access to this month? Followed by zine covers with a sign saying NEW ZINES with the words: Making zines. A drawer being opened with sanitary pads with the words: Period products. A microfilm scanner with the words: A glimpse of history. A computer screen showing GoCitizen’s homepage with the words: Citizenship tests.]

How would you describe your library?

Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking. Don't let Miranda Priestly's thoughts on florals deter you from picking up that book (or grab Lauren Weisberger's novel, The Devil Wears Prada 👠, the inspiration for the original film). [Media description: A series of book covers with a floral pattern.]

My library is... Staff from @warwickshire_libraries talk us through their favourite things about the library. [Media description: Video of three members of library staff talking about their library favourites in various library interiors.]

‘Tis the season to get worried… 😬 There’s no getting away from the stress of exams, but your local library is there to help you max your preparation: quiet places to study, free wifi, no obligation to purchase and as much time as you need (or can take!). A space for study… it’s almost like that’s why they were invented 🤔 Discover your local focus oasis by using our library finder, the link is in our bio. What are you looking for? It might be in the library. [Media description: An illustration of a pair of happy cartoon brains enjoying a study session, titled "Study Spaces"] Illustration by Natalka Designs.