If there is one thing I could never do without, it’s the library. Libraries have always been a place of refuge and joy for me. I grew up walking to the library from the time I was eight years old. That was before a child walking by herself a few blocks from home wasn’t considered child abuse. It wasn’t just the library I loved, it was the librarians. I don’t think I’ve ever met a rude librarian. They’re unfailingly pleasant, patient, and helpful. Thank heaven, they were only closed for a short time during the pandemic. And now that they’re open, they’re doing a fantastic job of following CDC guidelines. Our library gets an A for effort from me.
Did I say they were closed? Actually, they were sort of open. You could order print books online. Then, when you got to the library, you could call inside, and they would bring the books out to your car. Is that cool, or not? And then, just to be safe, they “quarantined” the returned books for three days before letting anyone borrow them again. You can still use this service if you want to.
When the library re opened to the public, they had removed most of the furniture and put Plexiglas barriers all over the place. No plush, comfy sofas and chairs, or wooden reading desks and chairs. All of which meant people couldn’t spend hours in the library reading newspapers and magazines, or halfway sleeping. ( Sleeping in the library was banned a few years back). They do have two or three small, metal tables and chairs. These came in handy if you need to sit a minute, which I often do, at my age.
Everyone is required to wear a mask, and it’s enforced. I don’t know how these kind, gentle librarians are able to make everyone mask up, but they do. Yesterday I saw a couple of teenagers approach the door without masks. I figured they would get away with it. But when I got inside, they were wearing the paper masks the library provides. I’d loved to have seen that transaction. If these sweet librarians can be enforcers, why can’t the people at Aldi’s and the Dollar Store do the same? I guess it’s a matter of economics. The stores don’t want to turn down any extra sales, whereas the library isn’t in it for the money.
Why do I go to the library instead of calling and ordering books? The same reason I don’t have my groceries delivered. I like to wander the aisles and see what’s there that I hadn’t thought of. But I feel 100% safer in the library than I do in the supermarket. There’s no loud talking from barefaced people. No one crowding behind you at the checkout. No clusters of people clogging the aisles for a chat. The library is quiet, subdued, and safe. Our local library gets a an A Plus for observing CDC guidelines during the pandemic.