Friday, March 5, 2010

Library, library, how I love thee!

I can remember way back when I was a kid...going to the local library was one of my favorite things to do. I even remember the smell of the library. It was a sort of musty, papery smell and I loved it! I actually still have my very first library card! Granted, I grew up in a very small town and our library was nothing amazing, but it was special to me.

I have always been an avid reader. I devour books. However, since having children I have not spent nearly as much time reading as I would like to. Each child I have has meant less time reading. I have taken to ordering books online from Barnes & Noble or Amazon. Not only does that mean a lot of money but it also means a lot of guilt if I find (50 or so pages in) that I don't like the book. I have gone to the library as an adult but once having children my visits became few and far between. Mainly because it's so hard to go to the library with a bunch of whining kids in tow. However, my children are getting older and I am getting more nerve. Either that or I have just decided that my brood can run about like lunatics and I will ignore the dirty looks from the librarians and other patrons. :)

I have recently been visiting the library again! Even better, I have discovered the online catalog and the joy of ordering the books and they will be waiting for me to pick up when I can. So, now I breeze into the library and simply head up to the counter to pick up my books! The kids wander in the childrens' section and I don't have to force them to hush while I try to find books for myself. It's wonderful! Today I picked up my "on hold" books. The librarian was laughing because I picked up 24 books! Yep, you read that right! Of course, not all of those books are for me. A few are for my kiddos and some have to do with our homeschool American history lessons. I love it though! I have been reading a book a day this week and I feel great! No TV! It's been awesome!

So, that is my little ode to the library. I am off to read!

3 comments:

  1. I use the online catalog and request CONSTANTLY!! Whenever N brings home the Scholastic book orders, I let her order a few and then put others we haven't read on library request. So, so nice!!

    I think the max you can check out at any time is 99, and I have had close to that amount many, many times. Although I have to say with having kid #3, I don't bring home as many as I used to.

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  2. Wow! 99 books! Amazing! I had no idea you could check out that many at one time. I love your idea about the Scholastic orders! We will have to do that as well.

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  3. Now here's something we definitely have in common - books! I, too, have exceedingly fond memories of going to the library as a kid (and I still mourn the loss of those beautiful card catalogs, with all the cute little drawers).

    I can also relate to your feelings about taking your kids to the library. I had a harrowing experience once last summer when Audrey (then age 2) disappeared suddenly and then re-appeared behind the circulation desk! But now the girls are really good - it's just Jonah I have to worry about!

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