My Library is my Church
I like spending time at my local library. I don’t need electricity to charge my electronics, and I don’t need shelter from the weather. I think that is why most people I see are here. For me, a library is a special place. I read somewhere the other day that someone referred to their library as their church. Why not? That seems reasonable to me.
My library has lots of empty shelves. There is room for thousands of more books. I hope this is simply a function of people migrating to digital libraries. I certainly borrow lots of books from the digital library. I prefer ebooks unless I need to take notes while carefully reading an academic or technical text.
One of the reasons I love libraries is that I know how hard it is to write books on the shelves. It is not easy to write a book, especially fiction. I am in the camp that argues that nonfiction tends to write itself. At least, that is usually the case unless someone is doing something extraordinary. Then the standard rules do not apply.
I have spent lots of time in libraries. Did you know that Widener Library, the main undergraduate library at Harvard University, has moveable stacks? Once you identify the aisle you need, you press a button. The aisle magically appears as an entire series of shelves move away in either direction. It is probably the coolest feature I have ever seen at any library.
The library I am sitting in is nowhere as cool as Widener, but how many libraries are? Our local library was expanded a few years ago. Lots of new space; it is not the tiny brick building I grew up with. It is clean and modern, with a bank of computers for the public.
It has been my experience that most of the people using this library are homeless or at least in severe distress. I am often the only person I see who is here to do some work and take in the surroundings. There are no other laptops on desks; instead, many phones are plugged into the charging stations on each desk.
We have a levy on the ballot for the upcoming election. I hope it passes; I voted to approve it. Still, I am unsure how many people want to support a library they never visit or utilize. I am still shocked that we came up with the money for the new building.
If the levy does not pass, I am told there will be layoffs and reduced hours. I think all libraries should be open 24/7. Of course, why they are not is the same answer for every question you can ask in this country. It is money. Pick a question, any question, and there is nearly a 100% chance the answer is money. Disappointing, I know, but I have no idea what to do about it.
A little girl, I would imagine about 8 or 9, just walked in with her father. She skipped around, choosing books until she couldn’t carry anymore. That was nice to see. When I leave, I will probably see used needles in the parking lot; that seems to be expected here. A couple people will ask me for money before I make it to my old, trusty pickup.
I hope the levy passes; many people need a warm place to hang out in the coming winter. As for me, where else will I go to write uninspired, pedestrian posts? You would think such achievements could manifest anywhere, but I am not sure. Inspiration, no matter the amount, is governed by fickle muses. They tend to be mercurial and indifferent. I need to find whatever they are offering wherever I can. No matter the specifics, this library seems to be a portal for their wares. The access is limited, but they do speak, even if it is only in whispers. I have learned that if I listen very closely, I can sometimes hear them.
