Revisitng the Library

I remember when I was, say, 12, when the weekly trip to the Library was quite an event. "Round up the kids! Gather all the books! It's time to go to the Library!" 

It was fun roaming the isles, feasting our eyes on adventure, real life, science, nature--endless entertainment! We always had enough time for reading back then. What happened?

The "library" came up in conversation this past sabbath. Boy, I hadn't heard that word in a long time! And I hadn't literally pieced it together this way before, but you tend to use things as you need them or as you're encouraged, and eliminate them as the need or encouragement ceases. In the early years, the library was an adventure. It was a second home throughout college. But in marriage, where does it fit in?

The library seems ideal for those with children,

for the scholar,

 

                                                                          

     and for those who need Internet access.

For the past five or six years, the library has been pretty much nonexistent for me. Even reading was on it's way out. There was the occasional interesting book, and of course, church literature--but that's different. Actual trips to the library were put on the back burner because...well, because I didn't need their Internet and I had plenty of books on the shelves at home that I hadn't read, and "there are so many other important things to do! So why should I go to the library?"

And I know this sounds strange coming from an English Literature major. But life goes on, and you're no longer in school, no longer on your way to becoming an English Professor; you're no longer attending literary guilds or contributing at poetry readings. Your circle of friends has gone from scholars and intellectuals, to people living in the real world struggling with real problems, trying to find balance in their lives. No one cares about who "She" is that "Walks In Beauty" that Byron writes about.

And that's when I just had to realize, a library is what you make of it. Children and scholars may be the stereotypical users, but a library goes beyond the stereotypical uses. And is marriage a reason to stop visiting the library? Can you reach a certain age that's no longer library appropriate?

So, with recent encouragement, I've created a simple plan of action: GO TO THE LIBRARY. And looky, looky. I did just that.

My very own library card. 

Of course, I'm anticipating setbacks. As the saying goes, "expect problems before they surprise you." Okay, so I just made that up. But, I have a terrible habit of starting books and never making it to the last pages--not even close. And it would be easy to blame the author (like David Pryde) for not making the book interesting enough throughout, but excuses are never the answer.

So this morning (actually, over the weekend) I decided that regardless, I would stick to the plan instead of talk myself out of it, and soldier on from there. And sure enough, when I got set up with my card, I was roaming the isles to see what I could find. If I had any anxieties or apprehensions about not being able to find any books I was interested in, they were short lived.

For my first trip, I was only allowed to borrow 3 books. I picked out 8 and sat down to rummage through each of them in making my selections. Before I knew it, "BRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIINGGG!" Some one's cell phone went off! I've never been bothered by cell phones going off (except in services!)--usually, I just get embarrassed for them--but this time, I was strangely upset. We're in a library people!--like I'd been a devout library-goer all my life and was truly offended.
Have you ever had someone look at you like you just did something so bad that you deserved the "stink eye" for it? My eyes searched for the offender, disapprovingly. I sat up in my chair. Whether my eyes found them or not, I wanted to be sure they found my stink-eye! (No, I really don't think I was that obvious!). Admittedly, I was kind of glad their phone interrupted me because it was time to get a move on!

After making my selections, I went to "check out." Did you know that they don't use the card system anymore? Okay, so I think I knew that. But they have "self check outs," too! All I had to do was scan my card, put in my digits, pile the books on the scale, and out came a receipt that said, your books are due in three weeks.

I'm so proud of myself. I found that not only can I still read, but I still have an interest in it.

"A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read."--Mark Twain