Since the ‘r’ is in the month, the libraries in the Westerkwartier have attracted a new target group. These are people who go to the library to read a newspaper or magazine and use the computer, mainly because it is nice and warm here. Then the heater at home stays off, preventing high heating costs.
,,Yes, we have been real new faces here lately”, says manager Jaap van der Meer of the library on the Waezenburglaan in Leek. He is pleased with the influx of new guests. “This is completely in line with the social function of libraries. Due to the economic times of recent times, some people are having a very hard time. How nice it is that you can sit nice and warm in our library.”
Membership of the library costs 4.50 euros per month. But popping in to read a newspaper or magazine and using one of the eleven computers available at the library in Leek is also possible without being a paying member, says Van der Meer. “Young people up to the age of 18 can even read books without paying a membership fee. Unfortunately, not all parents and children are familiar with this.”
The library in Leek has long opening hours. Visitors can come here from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. six days a week. On Saturday it is until two o’clock. ,,Over the years we built up a permanent audience here on Saturdays. That last day the influx of new guests still know what. But during the week we got extra busy. For example, there was a student here recently during the week who came to study for hours in our library. He told me: ,,I live in rooms and have to pay for gas and electricity separately. When I’m here, the stove stays off at home.”
Computers are also used slightly more intensively. Van der Meer: ,,We have good WiFi here. Recently, two men took part in an online auction via one of our computers. Afterwards we received a compliment for our good WiFi connection. And there is also a young man here who practices on a computer on the theory material for his driver’s license.”
According to the library manager, some new visitors neatly ask in advance whether they can come here to read the newspaper, for example. “That is very neat. But it’s not really necessary. Leek Since the ‘r’ is in the month, the libraries in the Westerkwartier have attracted a new target group. These are people who visit the library to read a newspaper or magazine and use the computer, mainly because it is nice and warm here. Then the heater at home stays off, preventing high heating costs.