A Space for Libraries

A couple of weeks ago, I walked into my local library and got my brand new library card. I was as giddy as a three year old watching Paw Patrol (and that’s pretty giddy!).

Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, libraries were my only option. It’s not like today, with Amazon and e-books. If you wanted a book, you either went to the local library or the school library.

And my school library was sweet! I remember getting lost in the aisles and just wandering and discovering authors and titles. It was an adventure to walk through the library doors. What would I discover today? Who would I meet?

I only remember one bookstore in my neighborhood; and of course, who could forget Walden books in the mall? But I don’t remember ever really buying books until college. And then it was a…gasp…at the sticker-shock of the price of those textbooks. That book costs what?

And then after graduation, I worked at Barnes and Noble for 11 years, and because of the awesome discount I got, I never went to the library.

During graduate school, I did find my way back to the library, but it was with “researcher” hat on. I always walked in with a purpose: Find book. Checkout book. Research. Return book. It was never with a sense of wonder!

And then came parenthood. I don’t need to tell you how the brain becomes Swiss-cheesy during pregnancy and after the kid comes out. Lord, if I had a moment, I was either feeding, diapering, or rocking said child. There was simply no time to read.

But fast-forward to 2019. My kiddo is growing. At age three, he’s not so quite labor-intensive, and he’s on a pretty good bedtime schedule. So for the first time in a very, very long time, I have time in my head and in my life to think and…gasp…read!

And so that’s what I’ve been doing. Reading. A. Lot. But as my bookshelves have begun to explode with titles, I’ve been re-thinking my approach. Lots of my friends seem to be ditching Amazon and Barnes & Noble and returning to the library.

For one, it’s practical. I just have too many books and not enough space. And I’m tired of packing up books when I move. They are heavy and dusty and it seems silly to purchase where I can borrow.

And it’s cheaper. For those of us who read a lot, this is a great way to save money, easily.

So, here’s my plan. If it’s a book that I know I want to keep, I’ll buy it; otherwise, I’ll try and get as many at the library as I can. Now, it won’t always work. I want to read Margaret Atwood’s new novel, the Testaments, and I’m 250 on the waiting list. So, that may be a good Christmas or birthday present. Or, I can just wait. Another gasp…wait until it’s my turn and read other books in the meantime.

And one more awesome thing about the library: You’re helping the environment. I haven’t thought about that before. I just read an article about how getting your books from the library is good for the environment. Why? You’re creating less waste (and reducing your carbon footprint). Typically, you buy a book, read it once, and then put it on the bookshelf to collect dust. That’s needless consumerism.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am a book junkie, so I will continue to buy books and visit bookstores. I just love having my bookshelves overflowing with books too much to have it any other way. I re-read old favorites all the time, like Harry Potter and Charlotte’s Web. And my nightstand has stacks of books at the ready. That will not change.

But maybe, for those books I know I won’t re-read, or for the ones that I’m not sure I’d want to keep, the library is the best and most perfect option!

Find book, check out book, don’t spend a dime…oh, and don’t create clutter or dust. 

Sounds perfect to me!

Call to Action: Get yourself a library book! Happy Reading!