The list of closed or closing libraries all over the UK is long. Very long.

And it's getting longer still as the seemingly endless squeeze on localgovernment spending becomes tighter and tighter. That squeeze may have relaxed a little by the time you pick up this book.

But for now it seems that shelf after shelf of other books tobrowse and borrow is seen by many local authorities as a conveniently outdated facility. After all, isn't so much information and fictionavailable online?Available but not always accessible or digestible.

Or indeed inspirational. This book is laced with stories about people who havebeen inspired to make something of their lives against the odds through their local libraries.

That includes the author who has lived in quite a few different cities and towns over a long lifetime. Libraries still matter to him.

They alsomatter to children, to their parents and teachers. To the lonely needling warmth and company.

To any number of societies and clubsseeking suitable venues to meet up. To students looking for laptop tables to work on.

Not forgetting those of us who still love having access to an abundance of books that cost nothing. That access would be inaccessible in many more city centres, suburbs and villages were it not for the number of volunteers who've stepped forward to ensure that their local libraries are not full of books gathering dust behind permanently locked doors.

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