I’ve been thinking more about Library Lover’s Month (check here to find out how you can help celebrate) and aside from a trip to the library yesterday I also remembered I had an ARC waiting for me that I would be perfect reading material for this – Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks & Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Brochert.
“Libraries are a footnote to our civilization, an outpost to those unfamiliar with the concept, and a cheap, habit-forming narcotic to the regular patron.”
I’m already near the end of the book and have had several good laughs. The author, an assistant in a suburban Los Angeles library, shares many stories of mayhem at the library; from patrons who blatantly lie to get out of paying a $2 fine to the drug bust of two drug dealers who had set up shop in the library’s bathroom.
My library seems so quaint and normal compared to his. Actually, I’m happy about that. Going to the library for me is always a relaxing time. I make sure to have a cup of coffee with me and I’m set for some time among the stacks.
So, about my library visit yesterday. I stopped in and read the latest issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine which has a special Ultimate Products Guide. I love it when crafty magazines have these guides. I have a list of new products I want to try now. I checked out Delirium by Laura Restrepo and The Wayward Muse by Elizabeth Hickey. And, last but not least I snagged a copy of BookPage. Haven’t checked it out yet but don’t worry I’ll come back and tell you which books made it on my wishlist.
I just love the library. You know how much I love it? I’ve memorized my 16 digit library card number but can barely remember any of my friends’ home or cell phone numbers. Shh, don’t tell.
Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday. I plan to check in with more of the Sunday Salon participants and of course try to do some reading.
I can vividly recall my first trip to the library at age three-it was just a block away from my house, and we walked over nearly every day. I still feel a little thrilll when I go in, a sense of excitment at all those words just there for the taking!
Our town library is brand new and so beautiful. I’m very proud of it.
Thanks for reminding me this was Library Lover’s Month. I need to honor it with a trip over there today 🙂
LOL. I had to laugh at the fact that you’ve memorized your library card number. Hope you’re having a good Sunday.
I love libraries – but some are a lot better than others, I find. I like the quiet crowded libraries the best – where everyone is earnestly studying. I feel like I’m part of one big brain 🙂
Ravenous Reader – Have fun visiting the library and don’t forget you have to post on all the goodies you find! I still have my very first library card 🙂
Tanabata – I know, how crazy is that right. It’s just that I’m always logging in to renew material, put holds, etc.
Clare D – Oh yes, some libraries are awful. I’m very lucky to have two wonderful libraries near my home. It’s a weekly ritual for me to go 🙂
OMG! I’ve memorized my 16 digit library card too! I never thought anybody did that.
I think “Free for All…” deserves an award for one of the greatest titles ever!
I don’t get to the library as much as I’d like to these days, since it now takes me longer to get through the books that I check out, but I am planning a visit sometime this week.
Why am I not surprised you know your library card number? Probably because I know mine as well. I must remember to tell my librarian friends about ‘Free for All’, it sounds exactly right for them. Mind you one of them at least would have helped the drug dealers escape if only because she would have been charging them for the privilege of using the bathroom! She is the oddest oddball of them all and I love her dearly. She makes every visit to the library a voyage of exploration and discovery.
I love libraries too, but haven’t been to one like for ages. Nowadays I bought all my books either from bookstores or used bookstores. Although I don’t mind library ones though, but they allow 3 weeks of borrowing and I don’t read as fast as before anymore, thus that explains why I don’t patronize the library anymore. But once in a while, I do bring my young daughter there. It’s never too early to cultivate good reading habits from young isn’t it? ;P
T.Y. – Ha,ha… Isn’t that funny?
Alisia – I hope you have a great time visiting and of course keep us posted on what books you get 🙂
Ann Darnton – Yay, someone else that knows their card number! Free For All has been interesting… I’ve quite enjoyed some parts of it but then for some reason it did leave me wanting. I can’t point finger at why but I’ll try to gather my thoughts on that and post on it. I’d be so curious as to what your librarians said about it. I feel like someone that’s worked in a library may have a different reaction to it.
Melody – My library only allows 3 weeks too and that’s not nearly enough time for me either. I try to re-new books but sadly I end up returning so many unread! And, yes, keep taking your daughter to the library gotta make her a true bookworm although she probably is already right? 🙂
I LOVE my library!! I really do. When I was growing up, I didn’t have a library. Our town was just too small to support one. I read just about everything in the small library in our school. So when I moved to the town I’m living in now, the first thing I did was get a library card!! I was so proud. Even if they don’t have what I want, they go that extra mile to get it for me. Either through inter-library loan, or they sometimes actually buy the book I want!! What a cool place to go!
Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks & Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Brochert does sound like a fun read. Considering the setting, it’s really no surprise there are drug deals going down in the restroom. :-S
Have a great week, Iliana!
Mine is memorized, too!
Thanks again for the reminder about Library Lover’s Month! I need to make a visit. 🙂
Thanks for the reminder. I guess I should go visit the Dallas Public Library one last time before I go….gosh 3 weeks and counting. I think one of the first things I will do when I get myself to NY is get a library card…. 😉
Delirium and The Wayward Muse – both sound very interesting!
Stephanie – Ooh to not have had a library -that’s awful! You know, I’ve never asked for an inter-library loan. I know my library does have a “request” page where you can ask them to buy a book but I’ve never asked either. I wonder how well those programs work.
Literary Feline – Ha,ha.. Indeed!
3M – yay, another one who knows her number 🙂
Tiffany – You betcha. Hope you enjoy your visit too.
Christine – Yes, you should go for one last visit – plus, don’t they have a little sale room? Granted you aren’t allowed to buy more books before your move! ha,ha…
Some of my favorite memories of my dad are when he drove me and my siblings to the library and let us prowl around inside while he sat in the car listening to a baseball game on the radio.
Really must reapply for a library card. Support your local library!
I’ve got my card number memorized, too In fact, at one time I had 3 different cards (one for each of the 3 major library systems in the Houston area) and had all of them memorized. Like you, it’s because I log in so often to check my account.
I should know my library card number as well–I use it so much! I liked the Hickey book by the way. It wasn’t quite as good as her book on Klimt, but still interesting.
LK – That’s so great. My dad took me to the library to get my first library card. I still have my card too 🙂
Somer – Yay! I forgot to mention that I do have several other cards for different locations but I don’t have those numbers memorized. You are good 🙂
Danielle – I’ve not read any of her books but they sound like good reads!