Library

My On-going Saga with the Library is a pick up from a previous post of mine last summer title Free The Books! Free The Books!

To bring you, my readers, up to date on the latest saga: Picture this: it’s a month ago, and I request the book The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton- the main librarian assures me “it’ll be here in a couple of weeks”. Foolish me, I assumed that since we’d had so many problems the last time- that she might would TRY to get me this book. It’s been a month, and the book is still not here. I’ve given up and just bought it on my Kindle.

But you say- “Hey Traveling With T- these things happen- maybe she tried and could not get the book!’ I’ve thought this out as well- and I do not believe that the book has been requested. Because she’s always at the other library (yes, horror of horrors- she runs 2 libraries!) To remind you, dear readers, I live in a small town. A teeny town. Most people who go to the library only go for the computer. The other library is in a smaller town- and while I’ve never been there- I would assume it’s the same set-up.

Case in point: Last week, I went by to see if our library had Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke as I’ve been slightly disappointed in the past couple books. I go to our library and YES they have it! *jumping up and down for joy* BUT NO, I can’t check it out because the main librarian is not there, nor has shown the part-time librarian how to “check in new books in system” and won’t be back till Monday. Le sigh…. Big Le sigh… Ok, so I put my name on the “hold” list, verify that she’ll be in Monday, and leave. Not happy b/c I want the book, b/c I could have read the book before she’d be back at the library- but still. I go Tuesday and ask about the book. And guess what? She still has not checked the book in, did not come in on Monday, and won’t be back till later this week. So, the part time librarian just decides to let me have the book. Probably because she knows in her heart this book is never getting checked in. Becasue the main librarian will probably never really be around.

I get that budgets are being cut, people are having to tighten their belts (that’s why I’m trying to use the library more!) But this is getting ridiculous. I get that when I go to the library, it’s not like going to bookstore and being able to get what I want right then. BUT when the librarian appears to not being doing a part of her job- it makes me mad. Really.

#31daysandcounting- how long till The Secret Keeper arrives?

I live in a itsy-bitsy town- basically a one-horse town. For years, I bought books- but due to space problems, I was having to slow down my buying. Then my brother gave me a Kindle- which helps. However, I decided to go really old-school and just borrow some books from the library.

Anyway, back in April my friend Keetha began talking about this book Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and telling me I needed to read it. So a couple of weeks later, I put in a request at the library since they did not have it to borrow from inter-library loan. Was told the book should arrive in a couple of weeks, and I’d get a call when it did. Weeks go by, I continue to check; but to no avail. Finally, the beginning of June and still no book. Come to find out the book was never requested officially. So with great restraint (and because I’m thinking mistakes happen) I simply request the book again AND add the book The Rook by Daniel O’Malley (another Keetha recommendation). Again, I’m told a couple of weeks and the books will be here.

Today is July 10. The books are still not here. At this point, I’m going to be stubborn and not buy the books; because I should be able to request books and have them arrive in a timely-fashion.

I’m not against libraries- I understand wait-lists, etc. I get that if I really wanted these books- I could go and buy them. I’m standing firm on this issue, though. I’m getting these books through the inter-library loan OR some kind soul is going to drop them off for me in a fit of kindness.

So, my title is a bit cheeky- you see people waving protest signs over many other things (well I don’t because I live in a one-horse town; but I see it on TV). So while I’m not really the protest-type person, I’m waving my invisible sign that says “Free The Books! Free The Books!”