Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

With the dismal days of winter setting in it is good to settle down in the warm with a good book. Many people are still unaware of the existence of the English Library in Kyrenia.

The library offers a wide and varied selection of books with a large fiction section and also sections including Biographies, History, Travel, Art and Crafts, Gardening, Humour,Pets, Reference and much more. There is also a Junior section for children.

In addition there is a wide selection of Talking Books. If you provide a flash drive there is also a selection of over two hundred films which can be copied for use on your computer or T.V.

Staffed and run solely by volunteers, the library is always looking for willing helpers who can offer an hour or two to help in the running of this excellent facility. We also welcome donations of any unwanted books in good condition.

Situated behind the General Post Office and open on Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 12noon. New members are always welcome. There is a token joining fee payable annually and temporary membership is available for those who are only here for a short time.

So why not come and have a look and if you like what you see then become a member.

Been a member since we arrived 7 years ago, an excellent selection of books of all genres. For 20tl for as many books as you can read in a year must be one of the best value offers in North Cyrpus.

I have to agree, a great selection of books, something for everyone, just a bit miffed though as I didn't realise and wasn't told that the year is april to april, when I joined a couple of years ago in the november my membership was only valid for 5 months.

I also agree - I joined when I arrived here 7 years ago and have used it extensively. However, I now have a Kindle so my visits are much rarer.

An important point is that all the books have been donated. Somebody wanted to read them and bought them personally - unlike the books in UK public libraries which are selected by committee.

Muffin (assuming you are connected to the library).....you have films and talking books that people can borrow or copy, so why not get bang up to date and start a collection of ebooks that people can also copy. I can let you have about 100,000 (seriously) to get you started - I can also find a database system to manage them.

Blue Butterfly.....a couple of years ago the annual fee was only 15tl. I cannot believe you are complaining that 3tl per month was too much.

In BB's defence, I don't think she's complaining at all. The way I read it, she's mentioning that the membership runs from
April to April.

Blue butterfly - sorry you weren't advised of the membership terms when you joined, you should have been told that the year runs April to April. Any one joining from January onwards is only charged at the temporary membership rate to take them through until April. And, yes I am a member of the library committee, so will be happy to answer any questions.

Regarding e.books, this sounds like a good idea and will put this forward to the committee at the next meeting in the New Year.

Members may be interested to know that we are soon to start the massive task of installing a bar coding system which will probably take about a year at least. It will ensure that the database is totally accurate and will be a huge benefit to workers and members when completed.

Remember folks, the people who work in library do so in their own time for free so please, do not do like some complain that books have been misfiled or moan cos you have had to wait a few minutes. Instead offer a smile and cheery hello and good bye.

I am not complaining at all. Just wanted to make people aware so that they didn't come on later and complain.

The library saved my sanity when I came here 10 years ago, living alone and with no telly, internet etc I was extremely happy to find somewhere with english reading material, albeit very limited at that time.

I am extremely grateful to the very pleasant and helpful volunteers who 'man' the well stocked library.

A big THANK YOU to you all and yes, worth every kurus of the membership fee.