Culture Perth and Kinross has launched a new campaign to encourage members of the public in Perth and Kinross to become members of their local library and take advantage of the wealth of free resources available, both within the library buildings and online.
The new campaign, ‘Can it be true?’ aims to highlight the many resources that are available by becoming a library member, at no cost to the user. Given the current cost of living crisis, with many families having to tighten their purse strings, hundreds of pounds can potentially be saved by signing up to become a member of Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries.
A range of services are available both at the local libraries, but also online. Membership allows access to a vast online selection of newspapers and magazines via PressReader, which could save members around £400 a year. In addition, via the Libby online app, there are over 190 popular magazines to choose from, selected by the Culture Perth and Kinross Librarians, which can be downloaded on any electronic device and read at leisure. This magazine service saves members around £300 a year. As well as the thousands of physical books which can be found on the shelves of libraries in Perth and Kinross, there is an extensive collection of e-books and audiobooks online which can be borrowed and consumed electronically. By using this service, users can at once both save money and avoid the clutter of permanent book purchases.
For office workers looking for an alternative hot desking space, several Perth and Kinross local libraries offer free and spacious hot desking options, with access to computers and free wi-fi. For those who love jigsaws or are looking for an activity that can be enjoyed by all the family, a jigsaw exchange service is available, with over 400 adult and children’s puzzles available to borrow.
Despite having 66,000 members, footfall at libraries throughout Perth and Kinross has not returned to normal since before the pandemic. This new campaign will encourage existing library members to return who have not yet done so, and that it will also raise the profile of the many services and facilities available via Culture Perth and Kinross libraries to attract new members.
Suzanne Emptage has been a member of Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries since moving to Perth five years ago. She is an avid reader and member of a monthly book club, so having a membership of the library provides a steady stream of new books for her, without having to part with any cash. She said: “I’m at the library once a week and usually get through one or two books weekly, so that saves me hundreds of pounds a year alone. The online service is also handy for renewing books and being able to request new titles, whilst having a wealth of magazines to choose from! My children love a visit to the library too and my son in particular loves picking books that he is interested in – membership saves me a significant amount of money as I don’t need to buy ten books each time he has a new interest, we simply go to the library and see what they have! My daughter also loves joining in the arts and crafts they have out to do.”
Alana Robinson, mother of a three-year-old daughter, added: “My child loves new stories, and we borrow two books a week from the library for her. This would probably cost us in the region of £100 a month if we bought them, but with a library membership, we receive a never-ending supply of books. The Culture Perth and Kinross librarians are so helpful in suggesting books which might be of interest.”
Helen Smout, Chief Executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, said: “We have an exceptional range of services and facilities available via Culture Perth and Kinross library membership, which is entirely free. Many are unaware of the breadth of services and facilities we offer. At a time when individuals and families are struggling financially, becoming a member of Culture Perth & Kinross Libraries means people do not have to go without their little luxuries – such as their daily newspaper, or monthly magazine. We also offer quiet, hot desking spaces, with all the facilities you should need to spend a morning, afternoon or day working at our libraries. Our recently launched wireless printing service means you can print directly from your phone, laptop or tablet supporting even more flexible working options and is great for printing off last-minute tickets or even forms and applications. We encourage everyone to consider a library membership. Joining is a very simple process, and the benefits are more than worth it.”
To find out more about membership of Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries, please visit: www.culturepk.org.uk/libraries/join-the-library