#2. The people. At libraries, there are going to be people who like books, and, odds are, you'll be able to find one or two that like the same kind of books as you do. There's a girl at my school's library, and we aren't always in the library at the same time, usually when I've finished my book on the morning bus and need a new one for the enforced 20 minutes of reading, which is pretty great in of itself, and we'll recommend each other books or say hey, I read that book last week, etc. I think I accidentally got her addicted to the Scarlett by AC Gaughen series (which I will review at some point in the future. Also, the third book is coming out next month. Yay!), but that's besides the point.
#3. The librarians, who I guess are technically people, but deserve their own category. They tend to be very cool. Maybe it's just the librarians that I've known, which is unlikely because I have library experience at a large amount of libraries across 2 provinces. It could just be me, but librarians seem to, generally, like to share their knowledge of books, or of pretty much anything else. They like to help people, in fact they chose a profession where that's actually their job. In other words, don't be afraid of them.
Also, on a side note, I have a story. This actually happened to me today. Have you guys ever spilled anything on a library book, and then tried to decide what to do about it, in regards to telling the librarian? Well, until today I hadn't. But today I had to, and trust me, what I spilled on the book wasn't just some water. Way worse. So this morning on the bus, I sat down, and the window was open. They're the kind that slide up and down. It was sort of cold, so I figured I would just shut it, no big deal. So I did, and I hit my arm on the little ledge, which didn't hurt at all, and then I started reading (Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier, the second book in the Shadowfell series, if you were wondering). Then I looked at the bottom of the page, and there is this bloodstain, that's at least 2 cm high, maybe half a cm, to a cm across, and I was all like "That's GROSS! Someone bled in this book!", but then it occurred to me, "Wait a second, I'm the first person to read this book.". That confused me for a second, and then I looked down at my arm, and all that goes through my mind is "Oh. I'm bleeding.". So I had to go to the librarian and say to her that I was so sorry, but that I'd bled on the brand-new book (not on purpose), and offer to pay for it, etc, etc. What happened next is truly a testament to the coolness of librarians, because I totally expected her to make me pay for it, and be upset, and I don't know, suspend my book privileges or something. But she didn't. First, she was very concerned and wanted to know how I'd hurt my arm, and then reminded me that I should probably put peroxide or something on it when I got home because I didn't want whatever was on the bus inside of me. Fair enough, high schoolers are gross, and I'm sure the bus that takes us to school isn't cleaned that often. I didn't have to pay for the book, they just cut the paper that had the blood on it off, because it thankfully didn't have any words on it, and that was that. Long story short, librarians are great, you should talk to one sometime.
#4. They have free books. Oh, I mentioned that already? Woops. Oh, well. They do.
#5. They generally have computers as well as books, which you can use to look up anything legal, and you can almost always print for like, a dime a page, which is great for when you forgot to print a project off at home, or you want some sort of chart that you found, or if you just don't have a printer.
#6. They are great for wasting time. You've finished all of the things you need to do and you happen to need to do something for a bit? Hit the stacks, start at A and keep going until you need to leave. Or, ask if you can help shelve some books. That way, you're being helpful and you've wasted some time.
#7. If your library doesn't have a particular book, odds are that they are connected to another library that does, that they know which one it is, and that they can order it in for you...drumroll... totally free. It's wonderful.
So experience the joys of libraries. If you already love yours, share it with a friend who may or may not love reading, get someone else addicted to a book you like, and try not to bleed on anything! That's the mission for the week. Let's revitalize the libraries, because too many are getting budget cuts and becoming run down or even closing as people move away from the library and the book in general. I am officially declaring war on this attitude. Will you join me?
Stay Addicted!
-Elizabeth