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# QOTD: your friendly public library
- URL: https://www.lorcandempsey.net/qotd-your-friendly-public-library/
- Published: 2008-09-21T19:37:44.000Z
- Updated: 2020-10-28T09:20:47.000Z
- Author: Lorcan Dempsey
- Tags: Institutions

A UK colleague sent me a pointer to [this discussion](https://www.thecnj.co.uk/camden/2008/091108/news091108%5F03.html?ref=lorcandempsey.net) of directions at [Camden public libraries](https://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure/libraries-and-online-learning-centres/?ref=lorcandempsey.net) which includes this comment about public libraries by novelist [Beryl Bainbridge](https://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n79-145714?ref=lorcandempsey.net):

> Camden Town novelist Beryl Bainbridge said yesterday: “Why do they want them to be friendly places? They’re meant to be sacred. I bet you’d really impress young people if you had really old museum exteriors with lots of old books and silence. Make things accessible and people don’t want them. I hate modernity.” \[[Camden New Journal – News: Mike Clarke | Flick Rea | Beryl Bainbridge | Jonathan Miller | Alan Templeton | Doris Lessing](https://www.thecnj.co.uk/camden/2008/091108/news091108%5F03.html?ref=lorcandempsey.net)\]