Danielle tagged me earlier this month with the Library Lovers meme for Library Lovers month. And I thought, “how convenient to have a meme for when I am in need of something to write about.” And then I promptly forgot about it. Until now. At least February isn’t over yet, though I am cutting it close (yay for Leap Day!).
How do you plan on celebrating Library Lovers month?
At this point it is more accurate to say how I actually celebrated the month. I can’t say that I did anything out of the usual. I volunteer at the library every other weekend. And I am in the midst of library school working for an MLIS. Can I love libraries any more that I that?
How often do you accidentally spell library as ‘libary’ when you’re in a hurry?
I was going to say never, but then in my answer to the previous question, I typed “libary.” Since I had read through the questions prior to starting to answer them, I’m going to claim the power of suggestion was at work on that one.
What is the most amount of books you’ve ever had checked out at one time?
The most books I have ever checked out of the public library is probably about five. When I was in college though, I regularly had ten to fifteen books checked out to me.
What is the longest you’ve ever gone without visiting the library?
Two, maybe three months.
What is the biggest fine you’ve ever had?
I think the biggest fine I’ve ever had is $5. I could be wrong though. I’m very careful in general about turning books in on time because I feel really guilty about fines. Thus, I try not to remember fines I’ve paid in the past because I like to forget about things that make me feel bad.
When you go to the library, do you plan ahead and make a list? Or do you browse?
These days I rarely browse at the library. I usually have my list of books I have looked up beforehand so I know if they are there and where they are. I used to browse a lot, but since my husband got a job in bookstore management ten years ago, my need to browse to find out what books are new no longer exists.
Have you ever been shushed by a librarian?
Not that I can remember.
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done to a library book?
Not having a piece of scrap paper to hand to mark a passage, I lightly penciled and “x” in the margin. I think I may have dog eared a page once as well. Does this mean I can’t be a librarian?
Have you ever had a “favorite” librarian?
Yes. When I was in third grade, the school librarian (I don’t remember her name anymore) was one of my most favorite people in the whole world. I was obsessed with Helen Keller and she found me some used kids books about her and gave them to me. She also wrote to the Braille Institute on my behalf and they sent her a brochure about Braille with the Braille alphabet punched into it. She was the coolest librarian ever.
If you could change one thing about your library it would be…
The hours. Because of budget constraints my local library is only open five days a week for only 6-8 hours. Two of the days during the week they close at 6 making it virtually impossible for me to go there on those two days. Before the January 1st merger of the Minneapolis City library system with the Hennepin County library system, my library was only open four days a week for even fewer hours. I wish the city, and now the county, would find a way to fully fund the libraries so they can be open everyday, all day.
Your last answer is kind of sad — it’s disturbing that we can’t find a way to support libraries more than we do.
My library closes at five on Fridays, two on Saturdays, and isn’t open at all on Sundays.
My mom thinks it’s following ‘retiree’ hours (always open early in the morning, but closes early too), which makes her mad! I’m so used to my college library, which was open from 8AM to 1AM every school night and closed ‘early’ at 9PM on Fridays and 11PM on Saturday that it’s weird to not be able to visit the library because it’s closed. We can all write letters to our congressmen urging them to increase library funding!
Yes, it would be hard to love libraries more than you!
in grade school i had some wonderful librarians, but my high school librarian was the worst–mean and intolerant and unhelpful. at the end of our senior year some of us played a little prank on her. we went in when she wasn’t there and mixed up the whole card catalog!
ooh you are good about fines. I figure I help support the new books section… they should name a bookcase after me or something! Lovely answers, Stefanie, but then again this one is right up your street, no?
Wow. I can’t believe how limited your library hours are. There are two in my district. One is open what I thought were limited hours (only open until 8 on one night during the week and Saturdays) whereas the other one is open to 8 every weekday and both Saturday and Sunday.
That is very sad about the library hours. It’s seems natural we should fund something so important but like many other education-related institutions it doesn’t end up being that evident.
It’s always annoying when a library isn’t open when you want. My local one is currently closed for refurbishment and I’m starting to get withdrawl symptoms.
What a great meme! I’m taking a seminar in public libraries class right now, and it was shocking to me that libraries aren’t open all the time. I take it for granted because all the ones in my area have always been open. We read about one library in NC that was closed for 20 years until the city had enough money for it again.
awesome meme. just found your blog and am linking it in my sidebar so i will be sure not to miss any of your entries.
i volunteered in a library in college as well as when i can now, at my children’s school media center. there is nowhere i’d rather be. i’ve even written a romantic story that begins in a library.
i guess it goes without saying that if i have any extra discretionary time, or money, i’m either off to the bookstore or to the library. it’s like brigadoon all over again!
My local library’s limited hours are a shame, also. It is only open 12 to 6 most days, closed Sundays. I always want to go in the morning, and then remember that I can’t! I guess I can’t go in the evening, either, but then, I never have the time in the evening
You are a great patron - only $5 for a fine!
I love the story of your school librarian - that is great.
Libraries, to me, are holy places full of knowledge and joy !!
Now why isn’t Library Lovers Month a national, screaming campaign? I had no idea, and few people love the library more than I do.
Oh, dear, did you see my book borrowing post? It’s shameful. I love libraries, and I really committed a venal sin to my local branch. Mea culpa!
You will be my shining example going forth. If I ever get my library card reissued.
[...] picked up this library meme from So Many Books. Of course, Library Lovers month ended on Friday but my heart is filled with library love year [...]
Dorothy, it’s very sad. Services that actually are a benefit to the whole community are always the first ones cut.
Eva, if only public libraries could have the hours of college libraries. Until this year my library wasn’t open on Friday at all. And even though it is now, it is still closed on Sunday and Monday.
Sylvia, you’re so nice!
Snackywombat, a mean trick, but pretty funny too!
Litlove, it’s the guilt more than anything that gets me to return books on time. My parents always stressed timeliness when I was a kid. I hate being late for anything.
Marg, how lucky you are to have such great hours. My library is only open until 8 twice a week.
Verbivore, I think it is hard to get funding because the benefits are not immediately tangible. The sad part is though, when they had to close a couple of libraries because of lack of funding three years ago (they have been reopened now) one of the first ones closed was in a poor neighborhood where kids came and hung out after school to use the computers. They didn’t check out books so they claimed the library wasn’t used enough.
stu, my local neighborhood branch will be closing for refurbishment starting in May of June and I’m already anxious about it.
bibliophylia, what an interesting class you are taking! How sad that the NC library was closed for 20 years. But it is heartening that even after all that time, the community didn’t lose sight of how important it was.
susannah, welcome and thanks! Romance and libraries, two great things that go great together
Gentle Reader, the limited hours has a lot to do with why I don’t browse at the library any more. There is no time!
Iliana, I try
I wish I remembered that librarian’s name. Oh how I loved her.
Paul, I am with you 100% on that sentiment!
Emily, I think it might have started as a local thing. The ALA has a National Library Week in April.
LK, the one thing about public libraries though is that they are also very forgiving
How sad when libraries aren’t open normal hours every day! My library system has gone through that same thing! Luckily I live closest to the main branch which has the best hours. And only five books at once? I wish I could show such restraint!