The Book Wench

When I was a young girl, I honestly do not remember what exact age, my grandmother took me to the library to get my very own library card. I remember the important thing: the feeling of possibility the little plastic card opened for me. While my mom or grandparents would have happily checked out any book I requested, the fact that I was considered responsible enough to have my own account made everything seem more possible. Every book was positioned to be at my beck and call. Every story a potential escape from the doldrums of normal life.

I would spend hours at the library, reading, selecting books, doing research for school, or participating in library events. Every librarian knew me by name and would even make recommendations for me if something new came in that they thought I might like. Life seemed so perfect.

I was in college when everything changed. I spent much of my college years living at school and, while there, I met my now husband. For our first Christmas together, he bought me a Kindle Fire because he knew how much I loved to read and how much I wanted a Kindle. Everything was different after that.

I began reading books on Kindle more than in physical form (nothing wrong with that, it was just different) and stopped going to the library almost altogether, except for school-related tasks or research. When I didn’t read on Kindle, I would buy the books outright, once again thwarting the need to visit the library.

I never once gave up my love for the library and to this day I vehemently defend their purpose and necessity for society. My love of the library, though it may seem wan is still carried around as a badge of honor.

I admit, I have visited a few libraries in all the cities we have lived in; I even make sure to get a library card on every military post we are affiliated with. But I rarely read the books I checked out and often returned them late and un-perused, much to my embarrassment and chagrin.

But, today, I decided to visit my post library at Fort Benning in Georgia. I went to check to see if they had a particular book (Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke which my milspouse book club chose for the month of June) and to get a new card.

When I walked into the library, I was instantly a child again, ready to browse the shelves and take home a monstrous stack of books. I did end up checking out seven books (and putting a hold on Yesteryear). I would have probably taken home more if my heeled boots hadn’t started to hurt my feet and knees (getting old sucks, guys).

I know I am still going to buy books (I want my own personal library after all). But maybe I will finally be able to renew that love of the library again and make sure I use it more so that I can do my own part in helping ensure their continuation in the community.

Tell me about a library you love. What is the best library you have ever visited?