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(Entered in the Gulf Beaches Library Essay Contest. I didn't win, but it was fun to write.)
Public libraries … still the best honor system in America. Where else can you walk into a building, take what you want, and promise to return it?
Although public libraries have undergone drastic changes since I was a little girl in the 1960s, their splendid concept remains the same: come in, browse the shelves, borrow as many books as you desire, but please return them on this due date. That’s trust.
Like many of you, I grew up in the era when libraries had hordes of skinny drawers lining their walls, each with a tiny handle. The drawers contained handwritten and typewritten numbered index cards containing every piece of material they owned. Going on “the hunt” was half the fun! The other half was strolling through the multitude of aisles, not knowing exactly which books to select, yet feeling excited to check out and rush home to begin reading. Ooooh ... which one first?
I am still as proud of the plastic digital library card in my wallet as I was the first day receiving my first paper library card as a little Catholic school girl, with my name handwritten on it. The soothing ritual of going-to-the-public-library is one which still delights me. It was “an event” with Mamma Gina & Papa Louie who drove us, usually on a school night to our little library in our town of Perry Hall, Maryland. Sometimes we had to look up topics for schoolwork projects and homework. At the end of the jaunt, we would happily balance a stack of books in our arms, following Mommy and/or Daddy to the car.
To this day, I am not one to shop in bookstores or purchase books online. (Unless I am #147 in line for a hold, such as with the book I'm reading, Remarkably Bright Creatures, about an octopus.) I never understood buying books unless you plan to read one over and over. Why buy them when the library lends them to us for free?
I cannot predict what a standard library will look like in 20 years, but I know this: gimme books, books, books – on my honor – I wanna read them all. Do not hand me a paperless Kindle or anything related to an e-book. I want the physical book in hand, to choose between hard- or soft-cover, to feel the paper, turn the pages, and stick in one of my many special bookmarks. I want to carry around the book in my purse, beach bag, tote, airplane carry-on. I want to hold the book, touch its cover, turn it over, read the back cover reviews and inside cover synopsis, inspect the spine, read who published it and what year, read about the author ... and secretly dream about a big publishing house one day publishing my work - then host a wild book tour around the world. :-D
Libraries and books make us readers happy. Even those Little Free Libraries around neighborhoods are delightful – browse for a book, take a book, share a book - or not. [Find a little library near you on littlefreelibrary.org. My sister, Paula, organized one in her Pennsylvania neighborhood. It was constructed, painted red, then installed by her neighbor the week she passed. She never even got to see it.] 🥲
Books are good for gifting, boredom, entertainment, escaping, decorating a shelf, and certainly terrific for learning. Public libraries are great venues for kids’ events, reading, family time, quiet time.
My parents taught us library respect: to respect the books (return them to same shelves, don't dog-ear any pages, never ever write inside); respect for reading, respect of the three-week timeframe we were allowed to keep library books, respect for keeping our checked-out books in a neat pile in the kitchen vs. scattered around the house, and respect for returning the books on or before the due date. And never ever pay the fine!
We were in awe of the oh-so-smart and important librarians – to my young mind, they seemed to know everything! Let alone the speed at which they could locate a book among the thousands ...“Follow me please.”
I hope libraries - and the concept of such a trusting institution - never leave, never change. Maybe in 20 years we may not have physical library cards. Maybe books, audio books, music, etc. will be delivered to our homes after choosing titles online. Maybe librarians won’t be stationed any longer in-house at large circular desks. Yet I hope America will keep intact her best honor system … the Public Library.
Read on!
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