Speaking of libraries, have you realized they are the last vestige of an age where kids can be left alone? All my fellow parents say the same thing: “Well, I do let him walk to the library by himself – it’s only half a block.” (And the kid is like 16) Then I chime in, “Me too.” What I don’t say is that my kids have happily walked the 7 miles into town to go to the library, because that is no longer acceptable parenting. (They pack a lunch; it takes a while) But up here in Upstate, a child may, if you really trust the librarian, be allowed to sit in the library alone. Why is that, you may ask? Isn’t it possible that all the muggers and rapists and abductors like books too? Not really, because the librarians, God love ‘em, will have none of that. I once saw an unsavory character get stalked by a librarian whispering “May I help you?” for 20 minutes before he gave up and went out to terrorize the playground mothers. It’s just not good abducting territory.
My kids love the library. I have two avid readers and one avid picture looker atter. They all find what they need at the local library. Sure there’s always that one librarian that doesn’t like kids, adults or pets other than cats, but the rest of them are like second parents, except this set is actually thrilled to have you put your feet on the furniture and leave all your books lying around. They even leave signs that say, “Don’t re-shelve, that’s work for the elves…” Can you beat that? My daughter once asked me if she became a librarian could she live at the library. Naturally I told her yes. Give her a dream for Pete’s sake. What’s the harm? My mother once told me that nuns can eat ice cream whenever they want. That worked for quite a few years…
I used to walk a mile one way to get to my public library when i was a kid – in all kinds of crazy weather. however, the librarians pretty much hated me. I was too loud when i was 7ish and took out too many books (25+ once i found out the limit was 50) when I was older I spent too much time on their computers when mine was broken at home. ironically the librarians were very loud then and disrupted my concentration. i ended my “career” at that library by never returning a book accidently and then out of laziness. (that i actually never read.. I dunno where it is now) and accumulating a $75+ fine for it. Did I ever pay it? No. Did I ever return the book? …I meant to. I moved away about 5 years ago.