When we think of libraries we think of quiet, inviting rooms filled with students or patrons reading or studying all peacefully coexisting with books but Don Borchert sets out to dispel that notion with his book.
Borchert stumbled into working at a suburban Los Angeles library and he soon finds that it's not all books and reading at the library. As a matter of fact, it seems that most of the patrons at the library do anything but read. For example, there are the drug dealers who have set up shop in the bathroom and then there are the teenagers who storm surge the library after school because they have no where else to go.
It’s not just wacky patrons that keep the librarians on their toes, they also have to deal with patrons who refuse to pay fines or lie about losing books. Indeed it does seem like the library is a free for all but still how can anyone not love the library? Here's one of Borchert's assertions on how great libraries are:
“I think a free library is an outrageous perk. I think being able to take out 50 books at a time is an astounding luxury, especially if you’ve priced hardbound books since the Clinton administration. Go into a public library, fill out the application, and here you go, we’ll loan you a $1,000 worth of materials. Collateral? Nah – just take them. You’re good for it. We’d do it for anybody.”
The book is witty and made me laugh out loud a couple of times and it’s a quick read. Perhaps the only downside was that I was hoping to come away with another long list of book recommendations. There is a bit of that from the librarians at the end of the book but I was hoping for a bit more.
Added 02/08