My teacher friends have summer teacher field trips so thought I'd blog about my work field trip (basically change in work environment while Brigitte is giving French lessons) to the Palm/Overland Los Angeles Public Library and some of the things I've learned during the time spent there.
Before I go into that though, when I was little my mom used to take me weekly to our Stockton library and Bookmobile (library on wheels essentially - it was like a bread truck - you know those white ones that deliver bread to the grocery store and it would park on random streets on certain days and we would go to the specified location and check out books). When I was little, my favorite book was the Teeny Tiny Woman. I would check it out over and over again.
During the summer, I was always in the summer reading challenge where you had your name on an index card size paper and every book I read, I got one of those gold foiled stars.
Needless to say, I have continued to be an avid reader but probably stopped going to the public library around 14 when hanging with friends pulled me away and Waldenbooks, B.Dalton and Crown Books got big (remember those bookstores before Barnes and Noble and Borders and Amazon.com took over the book world). Anyways Brigitte does her french tutoring at the library so its my second time back since I was 14 (first was last Friday). I know kind of strange that I haven't been to the Gundo library.
So my thoughts.
The library is loud. I remember when I was little I had to be very, very quiet and not talk. Now there are people talking at tables, cell phones going off and conversations ensuing.
There are a few odd characters that hang out at the library (random guy that was here last week and this week talking to himself wearing the same clothes he was wearing last week). I remember that my mom used to let me peruse the children and young adult books by myself while she went and looked for books for her. I don't think I would let my kids do that now.
There are VHS tapes, DVDs and CDs that can be checked out.
I'm getting old - I lived in a day of card catalogs and microfiche and the librarian stamping the card in the pocket in the front cover with the date that the book was due. Now I hand the librarian (seems strange to call a 30 year old guy that I would expect to work at Foot Locker a librarian) my keys because I have a scanner thing like my Ralph's Club that allows me to check out books and I get a computerize receipt with a list of the books and the date they are due.
Free wireless internet - I can work here.
Found two new books on my "to read" list - The Appeal by John Grisham and Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult - that I checked out. Saved $30 by getting them there.
That's all for now. I've got to get reading - The Appeal is due in 7 days...
4 comments:
that is great! you have inspired me to look for mistaken identity there and check IT out!!!!
I got my first library card rfom a book mobile- and they TYPED my named on it on a TYPEWRIter. Seriously.
When Vai was younger I used to take him to story time at Troke libray and it was great! Then I heard that barned and noble story hour has a puppet show and snacks so we switched. Then he started school and story time for both clashed with school time so now I feel bad that my littler ones haven't been to any story time. You inspired me to take them back to the public library.
Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Teclado e Mouse, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://mouse-e-teclado.blogspot.com. A hug.
Post a Comment