Within a library, there are worlds within words. Bookshelves lined from end to end with books on any topic you can think of, encapsulating every emotion and interest, no matter how niche or hidden. No matter how alone or lost you may feel, there is always a passage, or perhaps a single solitary sentence, that resonates and makes you feel like you’re coming home.

The library is a lot like a second home to many of us. They are community centres, hosting activities like multi-sensory storytelling and arts and crafts; they contain archival materials to delve into and discover the stories of those who came before us, they teach, inspire us and entertain. As people before me have noted, libraries are one of the few public spaces left where you can simply exist, without the expectation of spending money.  

Perth and Kinross Council are currently in the midst of a public consultation into the direction libraries in Perth will take over the next five years. We thought this would be a great opportunity to showcase the stories and personal experiences people in Perth had to tell us about what libraries mean to them.

Elaine Wallace, Senior Officer; Perth City Libraries, Culture Perth and Kinross

Public Libraries are the sign of a civilised society, an inclusive society, a democratic society and an open-minded society. Big statements to make but all are true.

I’ve worked for the public library service in Scotland for so long now I’ve forgotten what it feels like to work elsewhere. After so many years I have had many opportunities to develop new skills, meet with many authors, work with great staff who are committed to helping their communities, help people get in touch with family on the other side of the world and my personal favourite is introducing children to the concept that reading is a pleasure.

The impact of reading for pleasure is immeasurable. If we take that away from adults and children we weaken our society and communities. Reading for pleasure develops your vocabulary, makes you more empathetic, broadens your knowledge, reduces your stress levels and improves your mental health. No other service can do this.

As a nation, we have 3 institutions that we are justifiably proud of; the NHS, Education and the Public Library Service.  The public library service belongs to the public in a way that no other institution does and I am a custodian.

Most things in life can be bought but the public library service will always be priceless.

Les Sutherland, Digital Development Officer, Culture Perth and Kinross

I work within the Digital Team looking after the libraries and Museums within Culture Perth and Kinross.

A large part of the job is hidden away in the dark corners of the basement keeping all the systems running and that alone has a great deal of satisfaction keeping all these systems working.

But occasionally they let us out of the basement and that is when the fun, satisfaction and feeling that we make a difference really lights me up.

Interacting with staff and the public to solve problems from connecting to the free Wi-Fi, helping someone print out a form, use a mobile phone or help a small business to experience how technology can help them.

The library is all about learning, not just our members but also our staff and that includes myself, there is not a day passes where I do not learn how to resolve a new issue and for that part go home with the satisfaction we have helped someone.

One of my best days was one of the easiest when setting up email for a member and feeling that they were very unsure and resistant about using email, until we got to a point in the discussion about, “And how much does it cost to post these emails?”.

One of my great frustrations is how access to products and services are hidden, or appear out of reach to those who need it most. The library provides a hub of learning where people can access information and technology freely: it is so important that we help people to improve their lives, whether through reading or the use of technology. It is very satisfying to arm people with the tools and knowledge they need.

Dr Nicola Small, Local History Officer, Culture Perth and Kinross

My local library, A.K. Bell, is also home to the city Archives. I volunteered there in 2008 when I thought I might train to be an archivist. I worked to help catalogue a small collection of letters dating from around 1700 and I had to read them all in order to describe them for anyone else to find on the archive catalogue. It was a fascinating insight into life in Perth as the papers belonged to a merchant and they mostly dealt with buying and selling but with some legal and council business. Occasionally I would come across a personal letter and I loved these.

I didn’t become an archivist but I did study more History. The Archives set me off on my own research into Scottish noblewomen. I love old letters. So descriptive, so original and relevant even though they are hundreds of years old, nothing ever changes in the world. Noblewomen all worried or talked about the same things we do today. Gossip, news, family feuds, politics, love and intrigue- it’s all there!  The most amazing part for me in finding old documents, letters and journals in our Archives is that you get to see the original. It’s not a copy. You can read from the very letter, the actual page that was written on all those years ago. Postcards from the Great War, Jacobite letters full intrigue, private diaries and letters are all there waiting to be read again. For me, my local library provided a gateway to learning about archives and led to my work as a historian.    

Janey Lloyd, Small City Big Personality Families Contributor

Not only is the library an old workplace full of ex work colleagues that I am still extremely fond of, but at times - especially recently - it has been my secret getaway for peace and relaxation. I have endless childhood memories of being sat in the children’s section, getting lost in the world of Goosebumps and Roald Dahl and ignoring my Mum’s calls that it’s time to leave. Now I am the Mum taking my child to the library, teaching him about the importance of this magical place where he can get lost in the same world his Mummy did all those years ago.

Stuart Cosgrove - Journalist, Broadcaster and Television Executive

[Sandeman Library] was where I first fell in love with books, in the deep sense of understanding their value. My mum worked in a kid’s clothes shop called 'Christeen Reids' in Methven Street - a block away from the old Sandeman. In Primary School I waited for her in the library until she finished work and we got the bus home from the Mill Street toilets bus stop. I vividly remember borrowing a copy of John Lennon's satirical book 'In His Own Write', it was a cult book at the time and it fired my interest in his life. He appears briefly in Harlem 69 due to his close relationship with the saxophonist and bandleader King Curtis.

And now, it’s over to you! Leave a comment below about what the libraries in Perth mean to you – feel free to share any memories or stories you may have too. We’re going to be picking the best to feature in an article next week, so keep your eyes peeled!