I walked into this place because I refused to buy another copy of Bel Canto. I purchased the book a few years ago when either Barnes and Noble or Borders was having a”buy two get one free” promotion and I never got around to reading it. I started selling books online and decided I was never going to read Bel Canto so I should sell it. I judged it by it’s cover and I deemed it “sellable”.
Fast forward a few more years and I learn about Lucy Grealy and her best friend Anne Patchett (author of Bel Canto). Now, it was a mission, I read Grealy’s book and I needed to read her best friend. I kept looking for it in bargin bins and never found it.
I heard about this place that gives you a card and you can borrow books. All you have to do is promise to give the books back in two weeks. It’s funny because I used to visit this place all the time as a child, yet as a snobby adult I purchased all my books.
I’ve been unemployed for a year now. My addiction to books and learning is huge. I had to go to the library.
I felt like an ass because I had no idea how to find things. I couldn’t even figure out where books were in the place. I swallowed my pride and asked the librarian for help.
She was great. I found Bel Canto and two other books by authors I heard my professors talk about in class. I also learned about this agreement all libraries have with one another. If I can’t find what I want at my library, I can look in other libraries, ask for the book, and it gets sent to my local library. I am waiting on three books to come in for me and I am so excited.
How amazing is this service!
How horrible Governor Christie wants to take this service away.
I’m sure on paper it must look like a huge waste of money. But think about all the people who use this service. People who maybe can’t drive all over the place looking for a particular book. How about the people who pack the books and ship them out? What about the service that ships the books?
Is this service really such a waste?
I’m only sorry I didn’t know about it sooner. I knew college libraries did this but I didn’t know my local library did and I feel stupid. I was so set against using the library and for what? Because I wanted to spend my money on books I never read and sold for peanuts on the internet?
Libraries are important government fixtures and they serve and help the community. Let’s all stop spending money on books and spending our time at the library. We can all be amazed what they can offer us and it is all for free.
April 27, 2010 at 11:59 pm
I agree. I am really upset that the libraries are going to take a 70% hit, seriously? Of all the things the state could think about cutting education and library services are all he can come up with. That says a whole lot about the great state of NJ.
April 28, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Welcome to NJ
April 28, 2010 at 12:30 am
I could not agree more! Libraries should never be up for closure in any way. Living in Philly I cannot tell you the vast amount of children who visit my neighborhood library every single day for a variety of reasons. Some have no access to computers at home, hence they rely on the library computers to do research and type assignments for school. Some need research material and books, again for school assignments. Some go for the homework help and programs such as Books Aloud. Some go because it is a safe haven from the streets or even their homes sadly. We have had serious library hour cutbacks here in Philly as well, but at least they still exist. My kids love the library…I love the library…and I certainly hope they continue to thrive.
April 28, 2010 at 3:29 pm
It’s really sad. I know with the internet everyone thinks libraries are obsolete, but they are so much more than a warehouse of books.