Yesterday morning, I walked into an estate agent’s and had a long chat. Before I left, I gave them my name, address, email and phone number. I’m not planning to rent a new property any time soon, or indeed use any of the services they offer.

I was, however, keen to put my hand up and join the campaign they’re running. They’re an independent, local estate agent, with close ties to the community - and right now, they’re determined that our local library isn’t going to close. So I signed up. I also did the next most useful thing I reckon one can do to help a threatened library: took myself through the door and borrowed some books.

When I moved here ten years ago, I had a daily commute which involved a 50 minute train ride in each direction. I was also absolutely broke, and couldn’t afford to buy new books at anything like the rate I was reading them. Getting my first library card in some years, I got to be surprised all over again that libraries have loads of books that you can just borrow for no money. Really! Just shelves and shelves of books, and the staff let you help yourself and take them away.

My local is small, a sort of satellite to the main library in the centre. (The main one has recently been redeveloped and moved to a new, modern space so it can offer greater access to digital and self-service facilities, provide a range of study areas, and be a flexible events space. And, what do you know, it’s also about 50% smaller. But I digress.)

In the time it took me yesterday to choose a book, and pick up a second because it had a cool cover, around fifteen different people had passed through. A small child was reading aloud, an even smaller one was reaching upwards valiantly to pass a giant stack of returns to the librarian. A few older people were reading papers in companionable silence, and people from teenage to middle-age were using the public computers. You want community? Try your local library.

During the week, I saw this amazing Twitter thread from a UK librarian. I also read the Hugo-nominated story A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies, which makes almost exactly the same points in a very different way. Libraries are lifelines, and safe spaces, and vital local hubs and magical places full of books.

And if it means mine might stay open, I’m even willing to talk to estate agents.