My local library does not look like this one.

The Guardian reports on a wonderful idea that is being put into place in the UK. It’s The Society of Chief Librarians Initiative, wherein 4,000 libraries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will participate in universal library lending.

The way it works is anyone with an existing membership card or a proof of address can use any of the participating libraries, although the books do have to be returned to the actual lending library.

“‘It’s to say to people, wherever you are, you can use a library,’ the society’s chairman Fiona Williams told the Guardian. To further illustrate, Ms. Williams went on, “‘I’ve just been on holiday and am into photography. I needed a book on Photoshop, so I went into the local library, showed my library card and that enabled me to use the library there.'”

The society is also at work on developing a universal card that, according to the Guardian, “would allow the holder to borrow and return books to any public library in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland is not included in the scheme as its libraries are represented by a separate body, the Scottish Library and Information Council, but some libraries are considering joining the initiative.”

David Fay, libraries manager for Newcastle city council, told the BBC, “It opens up a fantastic library network nationally for everybody, so we’re really excited about it.”