Last night when I got into bed I avoided looking at the clock. I crept silently across the room for a glass of water, purposely leaving my glasses behind. Hudson slept soundly in his crib, my husband Brian slept soundly in our bed. Why was I still awake? The stack of books on the floor by my side of the bed should give you a clue. I was reading. After a full day during which I couldn’t wait for night to come so I could sleep, I read until midnight (or so, I didn’t look).
We all have things we love to do, but I’ve often joked that my reading is like an addiction. If I get started and there’s nothing to pull me away I just can’t stop. I love love love to read.
Earlier this week I went to my local library and asked a librarian if they kept a history of the books each member checks out. I would love to see how many books I’ve borrowed from the library over the past year. Off the top of my head I can count 50, so it’s got to be somewhere around 100 books. Unfortunately they don’t keep a history and the librarian looked at me like I was crazy for even asking, which maybe I was.
I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have access to a library. We are a blessed people to have so much information at our finger tips. I can’t help but think of a line from the movie Good Will Hunting when Will says to an arrogant Harvard student, “You’ve wasted thousands of dollars on an education you could have gotten for $1.75 down at the local library.” Not that I think formal education is a waste of money, absolutely not. The quote strikes me because anyone who has the drive and access to a good public library can learn a whole heck of a lot. We’re not all brilliant like Will Hunting, but we do live in a country where information is accessible.
So, I love the public library. I love that musty book smell and the almost tangible weight of silence. I love simply walking through the doors and thinking, if somebody gave me 1,000 hours here I could use them all. And last, but not least, I love that it is FREE, which means there is no end to how much I can read!
Every writer is first a reader, just as every teacher is first a student. There is no way to continue writing without the inspiration gained from good books and what they teach. So today I say: love your local library! Stop by when you have some time and pick out a few new books to borrow. Take your children to story times and teach them the joy of reading. Go when you need some time to just relax by yourself. And maybe, if you’re in the position, consider donating books or money so the library can continue to stock good books. Many libraries will buy a book if you suggest one, which is a good way to help fill a library with truth.
I’m sure you get the point that I’m an avid reader and a library lover. Reading is a journey towards knowing, and my theme for this blog is “Writing what I know.” I welcome you to join me on this journey, and on this first step by loving your library.
Oh man, do I hear you. Reading is absolutely my addiction. I cannot go even one day without reading.
I stop by my local library at least three times per week. It’s one of the most comforting places I know (and it’s somehow different from a bookstore, you know?).
I also agree with your sentiment that we are blessed to have so much information available to us – what a great, lovely reading-filled world we inhabit!
Your future librarian friend thanks you for this insightful depiction of benefits to visiting your local library. You’ve captured my heart for library services (and of course books)! It’s just a tip of the iceberg for what libraries can provide.
In case you were wondering why libraries don’t keep a record:
Records are cleared for patron privacy. Libraries make special effort to get rid of any evidence that you even used the library. We don’t want to know, we don’t interfere, and if any body asks, it’s your first amendment right to whatever information you’d like to obtain. With the USA PATRIOT Act, the government can get a hold of your library records and use it to incriminate you in an ongoing investigation. Librarians are strong supporters for freedom of information (in other words, if you want to read a book about bombing, you should be able to). By getting rid of the records, they are protecting your privacy from prying government eyes. There is a lot more to it, but librarians should be thanked for their dedication to upholding your right to free thought!
(I will get off my box now.)
Carrie, thank you for that encouraging (and enthusiastic!) explanation of why libraries do not carry records. It’s good to know our privacy is protected and that libraries are a sanctuary for our right to free thought. After all, that’s a lot of what our country is about. Thank you to all librarians out there, and to Carrie, our librarian-in-training! So, the lesson is this: if you want to know how many books you check out from the library for bragging purposes, keep your own record.
This is perfect, yes it is you. I smiled the entire time I read your latest entry. My heart misses you very much.
I just finished The Hiding Place and I have absolutely no time to read either but I would stay up painstakingly(sp?) late to squeeze in the next chapter. I LOVED it! I can’t believe I hadn’t read it yet. I have been continually thinking “what would Betsie have said, what would she do?” since. It’s so inspiring and humbling.
Today I finished my first term of nursing school! Praise Jesus. Only 6 more to go
Love you friend…….keep that beautiful mind and wonderful fingers going!!!!
Blessings,
ash
Crazy—my next LiveDifferent Challenge is on using your local library! I just returned my last stack of 10 books and got 10 more…for free! What bliss! Anyway, I’ll reference your article when I do the LiveDifferent Challenge on Friday.
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