I saw it, I wanted it, and I was gonna have it!! And I wasn't going to pay for it.
That's exactly what I did. I took it, and didn't pay a dime. And I have no regrets or conscience about it. If I get caught, I'm not afraid, and will not be calling any lawyer.
The only thing I did need was a little card, not a credit card, thank goodness. I needed my library card.
And I walked out of that beautiful building with not just one, but several books, all for free. I was going to travel to other places and times, and not leave my armchair. I needed no remote control anything. Good thing, because prying it out of my husband's hands is an aerobic exercise that requires strategy, even if he's asleep.
Our library system is just the best bargain in the entire county, state, country, whatever. You can actually walk out of there with a book that would cost $30 or so if you wanted to own it, which I don't. If I read it once, I want to move on. Look, it's not the book, it's me, I just don't want to be locked into a relationship with a book. So I can use 'em, then toss them back--I love that! And when I return them, I get to take home even more.
The books alone have been enough to keep me going back from the time I was a little kid. Martin Library was our big, big "field trip," for those of us at Franklin School back in the '50's. Our transportation was our own little mary janes, or oxford shoes or loafers, or for those of us with problem feet, corrective shoes. (UGH, I still have nightmares about them!) Anyway, we'd walk two by two until we got to the magical storehouse of everything we could want. It planted a seed early, but I still get the same thrill, only magnified, when I enter the magical place now.
The world is truly contained, yet limitless at the library. Computers, videos available for just a small fee, programs, a place that welcomes kids, could there be anything better, recession or not.
And the staff at the library has always, always treated me like royalty. How can they do that? I'm not giving them any money, I'm sure they're not getting rich from their salaries, and there are some volunteers making zero dollars, and yet they treat the customers or clients like we're all doing them a favor.
If you haven't been in there for awhile, try it on for size now. Don't bother taking a lot of money. The addition that was built has added light and beauty. Even when the economy rights itself, you may still be hooked on what is there for you, free of charge, but not free of excitement and possibility. You won't be sorry, I promise.
Books, DVD's, magazines. CHECK IT OUT!
