Library

I will dedicate my first writing of 2009 to public libraries of United States. I owe all my writings to the library. I would never be writing this blog today; had I not inculcated reading habit.

I indulged in extensive reading not prior to year 2006.Earlier my reading was confined to magazines and newspaper only. I, myself don’t know, what transformed me into an avid reader; which I never was. It is all circumstantial, having lot of free time and of course availability of books, in plenty.

The library has ample books for all; toddler, children, teenager and adult. Sometimes I just sit and skim through picture books. I also read several autobiographies; abridged version found in children section, from Houdini the magician to Charlie Chaplin the comedian.

The library gave me the chance to watch many old classic movies like, My Fair Lady, Godfather, To kill a mocking bird, Gone with the wind …. There is a vast collection of DVD to select from.In few libraries, there are international movies too, including few Hindi flicks and auditorium for screening them.

One thing amazes me, the movies are also available in VHS cassettes. A Combo DVD and VCD cassette player is available in stores till date.

Internet ready PCs are available, for one hour at a stretch. Library also has a Wi-Fi where one can work for hours together on laptop. This facility is extremely useful when we are new in city and yet to get internet connection at home.

Several other activities like book reading sessions, story time for kids, tuitions for children, computer classes are regularly organized in library.

A different lingo, you don’t issue a book, here you check out a book. If in haste, no need to step inside library, there is a drop box outside library to return books. Fifty items can be checked out at a time. Generally the book is issued for three weeks with few exceptions(new best sellers) and DVDs for a week.

A fine of twenty five cents is charged for overdue material, but then one can access his/her account online and renew books. One can even download audio books and keep a book on hold for future reading, from the comfort of home.

There is a book store inside library. Patrons and so called friends of library donate used books to the store as well as library .Volunteers are always welcome for arranging and maintaining books.

One may find old people leisurely reading inside library. India Today and Times of India are found,in magazines and newspaper section, in most of the libraries.

For elderly members, there is large print edition for select few(hundreds) novels befitting their age. I remember how my grandfather use to struggle with magnifying glass for reading, in his latter years. Americans come out with unique solution for any infinitesimal problem.

Reading results in lot of learning, otherwise it is not possible to experience everything, first hand, in this short life span. Books not only help us to understand human psychology and relationships better but also introduce us to different cultures, religions, historic events…

To conclude, the saying “Books are (wo)man’s best friends” aptly suits me now.