Ode to a Library

Bookworm's Heaven

I had to return a few library books last night. It was late, and I only had 15 minutes before the library closed, but I managed to find 3 books before being kicked out. The only time I'm able to leave the library without checking something out is when I don't go into the library, usually when I return books after hours and entering is not an option. I wasn't planning on getting anything new to read. I have a stack of books at home that are just waiting for me to start. I was just going to return my books, pay a fine (forgot that one of the books was overdue), and walk back home. That was the plan, anyway.

I love the library. I go through phases when I don't step inside of one for years, then some feeling will draw me inside the building and I'm hooked on it all over again. Where else can you go where you're ENCOURAGED to sit all day long? I can't think of a single store that wants you to take up space, get comfortable, read as much of their material as you can handle, put it back on the shelves (or not, but I always try to put books back from whence they came), and making a purchase isn't even an option!? Usually, I go and look at the new releases. There are a few authors that I love, but I have the habit of buying those books. I go for the authors that I don't know. Then I'll go to the stacks and look for some of their previous material. Other times, I'll wander through the books and pull things semi-randomly from the shelves (yes, I am guilty of judging a book by its cover... and its title). If the excerpt and a few pages sounds good, I'll take it home. What a fantastic way to find new authors! There's just no risk to it. If you like the book, you've found something new that you may otherwise have missed. If you don't like it, just return it! No questions asked. No judgment if you didn't read it.

I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance of my local public library. It's only a few hundred yards away from my front door. In addition to that convenience, and I am aware that not everyone has a library that close to their front door, my local library system (Henrico County libraries ROCK) is on line. I can look through the complete catalog, look for books, place holds and transfer requests from any other county library, and renew them, too! I even have email reminders sent to me when books are nearing their due date (yes, I recognize the irony that I STILL manage to have overdue books). Free internet access, research material, DVDs, music, books (fiction and non), programs for adults and children, staff ready to help you. An underused asset that not enough people use.