Lauren Bibli: Introducing Me
This article is pending translation
Hello, people of CLIC!
My name is Lauren Bibli. You may have seen me about on Facebook or Twitter and you may have thought, “Who’s she?” Well, I’m here to tell you!
I’m a member of The Biblis family who promote the use of libraries in Wales. There’s so much about your local library on offer - it may surprise you! Anyway, I thought I’d introduce myself to you so you can get to know me better.
I’m a fifteen year old girl from South Wales. I am a Potterhead, it has to be said. I just love Harry Potter! I’m still waiting for my letter from Hogwarts, hehe. I’m really into my music. I like just about anything! I’m really supportive of Welsh bands and local bands: The Kix, Lostprophets, Eric Unseen and Ladies Love A Superhero are some of my favourite Welsh bands.
My favourite leisure time activity is chilling in the teen section in the library. I love playing Guitar Hero there, hiring DVDs for the weekend and just meeting with friends. The library isn’t just full of books, you know! Here are some things available at your local library:
- Free books
- Free internet access
- Free family history resources
- Free e-books
- Free events for all
- Free newspapers & magazines
- Expert staff ready to help
- Free audio and large print books
- Get CDs and DVDs
- Reserve and renew online
- Borrow items from other libraries
- Teen zones
- Language courses
- Mobile Libraries and housebound services
- Homework help
- Wii consoles
See? The library isn’t as boring as you thought after all. Did you know some libraries hold Zumba sessions and groups called 'Knitting Nannies'?
Oh yeah, I should introduce the rest of my family. Mum is in her late 30s, she works part-time at the local hairdresser. She uses free internet access at her local library for planning the next family holiday, doing her supermarket shopping and chatting to other mums. Mum goes to a yoga class every Monday at her local library and has just started to learn Spanish with an audio book.
Dad is in his early 40s, he is a postman. He uses the library whenever he has to look after Baby Bibli – he loves seeing Baby Bibli having so much fun and getting out their favourite books to take home. Dad is a keen golfer – he is working his way through the golfing DVDs that show him where he’s going wrong with his swing.
Baby Bibli is 10 months old. He has been going to the library with Mum, Dad, Nana or me since he was born. He joins in the various toddler sessions and has a favourite cushion in the children’s area. He always has a smile for his favourite librarian ‘auntie’ Maggie.
Dylan is my seven-year-old brother. He loves football, his PS3 and spending time with his grandad. He has been going to the library with Grandad every Saturday for as long as he can remember. They go on the computers, pick out books and Grandad reads the newspapers while Dylan joins in with the craft sessions. Then they go for a cup of tea before catching the bus home and setting to work on the allotment.
Nana Bibli is a retired teacher. She looks after Dylan and Baby Bibli (pfft, I don’t need looking after. I just help) quite a lot and is always looking for new things to keep them entertained. Nana is researching her family history using the free family history services at the library and has already uncovered some exciting relations. She also goes to a reading group on a Tuesday evening and a knitting group on a Thursday morning at the library where she meets her friends for a good gossip.
Grandad Bibli is a retired electrician. He has an allotment and loves nothing more than spending time with Dylan discussing the best way to cultivate their vegetables. He has learnt how to use computers at the library and looks up gardening tips online as well as taking out lots of books and DVDs on gardening and his other passion - westerns!
So that’s about it, really. If you ever want to know something about the libraries and you’re stuck on who to ask, I’m your gal. I’ll be writing articles of my own on here, so keep an eye out.
You’d be surprised what goes on in your library!
Meet The Biblis
Check out Lauren's videos on CLICplay
Literature Page
15 Comments – Post a comment
MissPennArcade
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 15:38pm
Well Lauren, what a fab article. The libraries will be looking to hire security men at the doors after knowing what they have to offer. Great
National Editor
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 16:22pm
Good to meet you Lauren! I used to spend ages at Llanedeyrn Library where I grew up - especially on cold winter evenings, reading in the corner then lending as many books as I could carry home. When CD borrowing came along I was there even more. They really are an amazing free resource that people should make the most of.
(Not Responding)
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 16:27pm
I have a book from Cardiff Library that is so overdue I'm scared to take it back.
1) How much will I have to pay? (It was due back 15 March 2012.)
2) If it works out cheaper, can I buy the book from the library instead?
Thanks!
lincoln
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 16:32pm
@(Not Responding) Just bite the bullet dude and take it back - try haggling your way out of it! :oD
Lauren.Bibli
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 16:45pm
Wow! So much response on my first article! The library is a fabulous place- I wouldn't be there if it wasn't! I don't do boring. Like, maths club after school is pretty boring, but sometimes, you have to go.
@(Not Responding) From what I've been told, there are different circumstances for different libraries. The best thing you can do is just go to your local library, be nice and simply explain the situation. They won't bite your head off! Just ask how much the overdue book is (I doubt it will be too much, since it hasn't been over a year, but as I have said, different circumstances for different libraries) so just be nice with them and then they will help you. If it does turn out cheaper, ask if you can buy the book instead. Hope it works out okay! I will ask my friend, Rhodri, as he works at a library and maybe he can chase it up from his boss what's what in each library.
@lincoln Nice try! But if you do wish to use the library again, they will find out. It's on record. It would be such a shame if you didn't sort the problem out as you won't be entitled to all the wonderful things that are on offer at the library. And Cardiff library is amazing!
Lauren.Bibli
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 16:56pm
Ooh, please can I have an icon?
Snow..
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 17:01pm
Hehe, I love libraries, I'm a bit of book freak - well reading freak... I read anything, even things like signs I see everyday just as an escape from the rest of the world.
I'd love to sit in my local library more often (Barry library), but since it's been refurbished and stuff there's so much going on there it's so noisy downstairs, and I usually get told off if I go upstairs because that's the "adult section". Even when I explain to them books are more for my taste, and I'm really quiet, they still don't like it. But that's probably the only fault I can think of. The local library is great for families and students :D
Great article by the way, I definitely agree more people need to be aware of what their library has to offer, we even have an art gallery :)
National Editor
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 17:22pm
Lauren we have been offered a phone or email interview with New York Times bestselling children and young people's author, Michael Buckley. Perhaps you could do it? He is coming to the UK to promote his latest book, 'NERDS Book Four: The Villain Virus' and is going to be on BBC Breakfast etc.
This video is about 'NERDS Book Two: M Is For Mama's Boy.'
Lauren.Bibli
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 18:00pm
@RyanCLIC WOW! I would be honored! Hehe, my first interview!
@Snow.. An art gallery? Cool! I'll have to pop down someday! I guess some library staff are just keen on people using their own areas. Have you got a teen section? Like a chillout area?
Ihavethecyrusvirusx
Commented 11 months ago - 29th May 2012 - 18:06pm
Hey Loz!
So glad you have decided to join us at CLIC! Treorchy E-Teens in RCT is amazing! It even has a Facebook page for you to check out http://www.facebook.com/treorchy.eteens
You can even hold your own events there! I'm holding one on 9th June there for my project, Inspire, if you wanna come? I know you have some friends in Treorchy so you could invite them to come,too! Sorry, self plug there..
Can't wait to see articles from you! xxx
cindyCLIC
Commented 11 months ago - 1st June 2012 - 13:38pm
And if you want a particular book but they have don't it at the library, they will get it from another library for you or buy it so you can borrow it. How awesome's that? I'm starting to wonder why I bother buying books. :P
Lauren.Bibli
Commented 11 months ago - 2nd June 2012 - 23:22pm
I know! It's so awesome! I rarely buy books. Though I do have a small collection of my all time favourites and the journal type books you can get- must admit, I love Wreck This Book! It's so fun. I doubt they do those books at libraries as they are meant to be vandalised by the owner of the book. Still, it's amazing how much the library has on offer! X
Lauren.Bibli
Commented 11 months ago - 3rd June 2012 - 19:21pm
@Ihavethecyrusvirusx I'll be there! :D
Lauren.Bibli
Commented 11 months ago - 3rd June 2012 - 19:26pm
@(Not Responding) just checked- it's definitely different for each library, but don't worry, it will be fine. I think it's 5p per day it is over due, but don't quote me on that, I overheard Rhodri's boss saying that so he could have been referring to any library.
cindyCLIC
Commented 11 months ago - 5th June 2012 - 14:14pm
@(NotResponding), I think the maximum fine is something like £1.00 so I'd say don't worry, take your book back to the library. The maximum fine is kept low because they want to encourage people to take overdue books back, books are their asset!