Love of Libraries

I am a great supporter of my local library.  Over the last 5 years 80 – 90% of the books I have read have come from the library.  I have not purchased a book in a number of years. I had NO idea what happened to prices.  Today, I went in to a bookstore, found the book I wanted, and went to the register.  Much to my surprise one paperback book came to $18.  Now, I am lucky enough to be able to purchase this without much concern, but holy cow!  At these prices there is a large number of people that would not be able to do so.  Which leads me back to the idea of the library.

My public library’s name is actually “Free Library”.  Back in the day, only those that could afford a subscription to a library were allowed to borrow books.  That, however, is not true any longer.  Although people can forget these places as a resource, the doors are open, both virtual and real, in order to give you access to the world via media formats (book, ebook, audiobook, video, etc.)

Back in the 1970s there was an episode of “Happy Days” when the Fonz got a library card.  After that there was a significant jump in new library card requests. How much of the country, or world, does not know what is available to them at no cost? How many worlds would this open up for people who see nothing but pain, obstacles and despair?  And with the fragmentation of media, where would this type of thing be most prominent?  Maybe the Kardashian family should take the kids to the library instead of a fashion show – watch how many other families would do the same.

Back to the free library – I have loved them since I was first introduced to them as a child.  Reading, of course, was highly valued in my family.  My sisters and I all worked at the public library throughout high school, and I even worked in one throughout college.  To me, these are safe, happy places where I can find a million different ways to solve a problem, change a mood, or lend an empathetic ear to characters, and myself.  And although I no longer own the books that I have borrowed, I am happy to send them off into the world to touch others.  The books I keep are a reflection of who I am and how I got here. I know that there will never be enough bookcases to hold all of my books.  And I have books for me, my kids and books my kids outgrew that I am saving for grandkids.  The goal is to have Grandma’s house be a lending library, too.  Just as long as it doesn’t have to open any time soon!