Some of my books are due soon, which will necessitate a trip to the local library four blocks down.
It’s a tiny place, smaller than the one I visited in Arlington, VA. I seem to always get there when the after-school club arrives; they hog the computers and scream at each other about flash games. Old people take up room on the couches and rustle their newspapers as loudly as possible.
But I love it. It’s a retreat, a respite (sometimes.) The librarians stock brand new books on special shelves and YA books free for the taking, no checkout required.
I chose this tag in honor of my tiny, terrible local library.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY?
Once or twice a week. I try to wait until all my holds come in so I can pick them up at the same time.
ARE YOU THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO CHECKS OUT MORE BOOKS THAN YOU CAN READ OR ARE YOU SOMEONE WHO CHECKS OUT THE EXACT AMOUNT OF BOOKS YOU INTEND TO READ BEFORE THEY ARE DUE?
I HATE admitting that I have limits.
I don’t have the free time I did while in school. My reading pace has slowed.
I still check out books like a high schooler.
Three brand-new bestsellers on race AND the new Jodi Picoult? Grab. Four 600+ page novels from authors I’ve heard of but never read? Grab. A boring-sounding YA novel with a pretty cover? Grab. The autobiography of a famous feminist? It’s Free-for-all Friday! Grab!
Then I go home and finish ONE of them.
I like having options.
But doing this also gives me MASSIVE anxiety.
I need a better system.
HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU GOT YOUR FIRST LIBRARY CARD?
Probably 6. I believe I had to fight for one, which seems odd, considering my family’s love of reading.
DO YOU GO TO YOUR LIBRARY FOR A PARTICULAR BOOK OR DO YOU CHECK OUT ANYTHING THAT PIQUES YOUR INTEREST?
Basically, I go to pick up holds and snag anything that looks interesting or informative or entertaining. If I see an old favorite, I grab that, too.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home is on display in the Large Type section, but I’m afraid to reread it. I have too much going on.
DO YOU ONLY CHECK OUT BOOKS OR DO YOU ALSO GET DVDS, AUDIOBOOKS, ETC.?
I get DVDs sometimes. The collection at my library isn’t great, but they have some newer titles.
I brought Pride and Prejudice and Zombies home for my friends and family. That was a good find.
FROM WHAT SECTION OF THE LIBRARY DO YOU CHECK OUT MOST OF YOUR BOOKS?
New books. The library gets some GREAT books in.
The only downside is the newest books are available for only 2 weeks, no holds or renewals.
2 weeks goes by faster than you would think.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF USING YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY?
In the last few years, I’ve spent thousands of dollars on new books that I never find time to read.
The library allows me to read those same books for free. Sometimes, the time limit creates unnecessary pressure, but it also motivates me to finish the book and move on.
I just like walking in and seeing five bestsellers available for checkout without having to fight my way through a holds list. That’s really neat.
Narrative Paradise 