IONA LIBRARY

[sandancer]

Just watched a YouTube video where Anderson’s Bar and library are detailed. I was under the impression that, like Arvia, there was no library on Iona. Can anyone confirm before I pack a shedload of books. I apologise for the heading in CAPS, I wasn’t shouting, just a slip of the iPad. 

Edited November 24, 2023 by sandancer

[Red Ray]

Not a library as such just 2 or 3 glass cases where pax can help themselves to books. Not much but better han the pathetic offering on Arvia.

[molecrochip]

Iona has a good size library however it didn’t have many books earlier this year. Someone who has sailed her more recently may be able to expand.

[GOQ]

6 hours ago, Red Ray said:

Not a library as such just 2 or 3 glass cases where pax can help themselves to books. Not much but better han the pathetic offering on Arvia.

I don't agree with that, unless things have changed since 2022. 

The Arvia library is a joke but, in early 2022 at least, the Iona library was quite well stocked.

[Somerset Cruiser]

The book choice is very poor, take whatever reading material you may want. 

[purplesea]

On Arvia in May the two or three shelves by Anderson's bar were very sparcely stocked at the beginning of the cruise. By the end of the cruise there were a lot more books as people left books they had read. Personally I would't class it as a library. It is more like a few shelves for book swapping!

[Clodia]

I forgot to go down to the bookcase area in Anderson's on my first day. By day 2 the bookcases were virtually bare.

[sandancer]

I’ll bear that in mind. I always take several paperbacks and put them on the shelf after I’ve read them. 

[Selbourne]

On 11/24/2023 at 1:46 PM, molecrochip said:

Iona has a good size library however it didn’t have many books earlier this year. Someone who has sailed her more recently may be able to expand.

I beg to differ. We were on Iona in August. The ‘library’ was nothing short of pathetic. A few cupboards in Anderson’s and the choice was absolutely dismal. My wife’s assessment was that this was probably because most of the passengers on our cruise probably couldn’t read, but she really had a downer on Iona due to the lift problems that we had and, frankly, even if they had the British Library on board I don’t think that I could tempt her back on board 😂 

 

As a serious answer to your question, it’s rubbish. Take your own books or a Kindle (other brands are available).

[Neecy1]

To be honest I can never understand why people don't just take a kindle or other e-reader? 

[Selbourne]

9 minutes ago, Neecy1 said:

To be honest I can never understand why people don't just take a kindle or other e-reader? 

Maybe because less than half the population own one!

[Neecy1]

True. Just think it's so much easier. And cleaner than a book that's been handled my god knows how many people. But I know some people prefer the feel of a book. I did once. I could never walk past a Waterstones... 

[terrierjohn]

35 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Maybe because less than half the population own one!

If you have a tablet, or even a smart phone, and a library card, you can borrow ebooks to download to it using the Libby app, and all for free.

[Selbourne]

7 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

If you have a tablet, or even a smart phone, and a library card, you can borrow ebooks to download to it using the Libby app, and all for free.

I’ve succumbed and bought my wife a Kindle for Christmas so that she has one for our long cruise, but I’ve bought some ye olde worlde physical books for myself 😂 

[Red Leicester]

I take a selection of small books and a Kindle.  To be honest a Kindle can carry an entire library.  Try and get the one that can be read in any light too.

It would also be great if Iona passengers were spoken about with politeness, comments around whether or not we can read are not helpful even when in jest, it just adds to the "them and us" feel and doesn't make us feel welcome.

Edited November 26, 2023 by Red Leicester