There’s a story doing the rounds today about the demise of the library. New Government figures show that the number of people who visit a library weekly has dropped by 32 per cent in five years. More than 60 per cent of us have not stepped foot in one in the last year.

I buck that trend. Having not set foot in a library for perhaps five years, I joined my local library last month. I admit that I joined for the free internet access rather than the books, but that is the point of libraries in 2010: they are not just quiet places of reflection from which to peruse and borrow books, but multimedia hubs.

Purists would be dismayed to learn that in the library I was in, Clifton Library on Princess Victoria Street, a mother and baby reading session was about to take place and laughter of little children filled the air.

There are 28 libraries in Bristol, including the magnificent Central Library on College Green (below). The full list and contact details can be found here.

Please support your local library. You never know when you might need it and you’ll definitely miss it when it’s gone.

Visit www.bristol.gov.uk/libraries for more information.