Library Day: Memories Part I

Today is library day.  Actually I have no set day to visit the library.  I usually go when they call.  Let's be clear.  They don't invite me to visit.  There is no need for that, but they do send me emails when they know it's time for a visit.  For example, yesterday I got two messages:  one reminding me that I have two books due soon and one announcing that two books are ready for me to pick them up.  So off I will go for a two for two trade.  It doesn't always work out so evenly but today it is even steven.

I am a library lover.  I have been fortunate to live near great library systems.  It began early when my mother would walk me to the DC library branch closest to our house.  Now that was a library - heavy wood furniture, a separate children's room, and "Ssssh" signs all over the place.  I had a paper card(!) and each book had two cards in a pocket in the back - one card with bibliographic information and the other for a date stamp.  Then the librarian stamped the due date on that card and took a picture of my library card and the two book cards.  Imagine no automation.   There was a limit to how many books could be checked out at a time and the late fine was one cent per day.  What a difference a "few" years make.  As I grew up, the DC branch I visited changed but the set up remained the same.  Back then there were not many "young adult" books, if any, so in high school I left the children's room behind and went straight to adults.  I think that is why I read so many classics.

After college, my new library was in Prince Georges county Maryland.  These branches were newer and more modern that the DC library but they were stocked full of delights.  I was exclusively in the adult section now.  My favorite shelves held mysteries but I did drift over to True Crime.  I still enjoyed classics but now I also looked at the "New Release" section.  My interests were broadening.

After I was married, Howard County, Maryland was my home and their libraries became my haunt. These were fantastic.  The main branch by Merriweather Pavillion and the Miller Branch in Ellicott City were my homes away from home.  In the evening after dinner I would wander around those stacks for hours.  Saturdays at the mall often ended with a quick stop at the library.  Card were plastic now and computer systems were all the thing!  I think this library system is one of the very best in the US.  They have so much to offer and if they didn't have what I wanted they got it for me.  Howard County Libraries still are the standard for which I judge all others.

There are other library systems:  Carroll County, South Coastal Library, and now Chesapeake but I have books calling me.  Those stories will have to wait for another day.