There are few places left where you can walk in, stay all day, and spend nothing. The public library is one of them, and it offers far more than most people remember.

Books, of course, and newspapers and magazines. But also a quiet place to work, a warm place in winter, computers and printing for people without them, help from staff who know how to find things, and children’s story times that are many people’s first experience of reading for pleasure.

Many libraries now lend e-books and audiobooks through an app, so a library card can fill a phone with reading without a single visit. Some lend tools, instruments and games as well.

Libraries are paid for together and open to everyone. The best way to keep them is to use them. If you have not been for a while, go this week and see what has changed.