Do you recall going to the library as a youth, so full of excitement that you thought you'd burst? Okay, well maybe not all of you, but I have always had a larger than average enthusiasm for the library. Even though I had books at home, there was nothing like going to the library and just sitting for hours pouring over the vast choices. My mother never imposed a limit so I made it a point to get as many as I could carry. I sit here today in the main branch of my local public library and I am taken aback by the changes. It is no longer about the books. I have only witnessed a handful of patrons perusing the shelves. There are about 20 or so just passing time waiting for their turn on the computers. Some have waited for hours patiently for the prized 1-hour-limit-on-the-internet-per-day-per-library-card. I just heard one of the librarians issue a last call for someone. How sad...This person probably felt like he was waiting forever and just left. I can' t help but smile at the misuse of the library. I may not have lived during the times when reading certain prose was considered illegal, nor when people of color were not allowed to even know how to read, but I do embrace what the library it is. I do understand that media is available in many forms, but the books are just left to collect dust. I decided to come here today just for a bit of solace and ended up being inspired to write. I am a bit thankful because I felt like I had lost my writing mojo. It's back, I hope. Thank you Reading Public Library, Main Branch. Your concrete columns welcomed me in to a place where all are represented. The man quietly working on his novel, The homeless man reading about his American heritage who looks just a little like Charles Manson, The man taking notes from the Wall Street Journal and USA taday, The two young ladies sitting cross-legged on the floor giggling in front of the romance section, two little girls arguing with their parents for the right to be allowed to return to the children's section alone who are met met with a resounding no, The just-a-bit-too-loud converstion the librarians are having about the careless patrons and their treatment of prized literature, The woman with the purple hair reading fashion magazines (I wonder if she meant for it to be that color), The 10 no-cell phone-use signs and the 20 people ignoring them with open conversation, the weird little security guard (he's about 5 feet tall--I always wonder when I see small or disabled security guards--How can they protect me??)rushing about on his rounds, and of course me, the book loving, laptop toting observer of all. I thoroughly enjoyed my day in the library, now off to enjoy the sights and sounds my city has to offer.
