On Monday, I'm doing a signing at the American Library Association's national conference in Washington, D.C. Of course, part of the fun will be wandering the convention floor and getting some signed books myself once my signing is over. But part of the reason I am so excited to go is . . . librarians! They rock!Though as I've gotten older, I don't visit the library as much as I used to (the wonders of the Kindle!), as a child, the library was magical to me. BOOKS. Row upon row upon row of books! And since books were my life . . . the library was just about my favorite place. And they were FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the library in my hometown, when I was kid, there was a limit to how many books you could sign out at one time if you were under twelve. I think the limit was six. Unfortunately, if I signed out six on Friday, by Sunday morning, I was done with all six of them, which meant a long Sunday and most of Monday without something new to read. So my mother spoke to the librarian (again, they ROCK!) and the librarian waived the limit. Problem solved . . . I had plenty to read.
Once I was all grown up and an author . . . I've was asked to speak at "Friends of the Library" event here in Richmond, Virginia. I also did a signing at the summer reading festival at the main branch downtown. I'll be honest . . . I don't "love" signings. But for the library? Sure, I'll love it.
So that's my Good News Friday . . . I'm spending time with librarians on Monday. Anyone else fond of those quiet places book lovers call home?
Posts
9 comments:
I used to think libraries were a place to go for peace and quiet, you know, for research or a nice place to settle in and read the paper, etc. Recently (a few years ago) I went to the local library for the above reasons. WOW! People were chatting it up, answering cell phones (I kid you not) and acting like they were at the supermarket.
I asked one of the librarians about it and she rolled her eyes and said, "It's a COMMUNITY place," as if I was way off base for even asking. By the way, the librarian there is a horrible person who perhaps travels by broom.
So I switched libraries, finding one that still maintained some peace and quiet. Who knew?
Our librarians also rock! Though I admit they still do the "sh-h-h-h-h" thing and I love them for it.
The kids love the main branch because the librarians there "know just about everything and are fun."
It is still my favorite place to visit.
Enjoy, Erica!
Mary
Giggles and Guns
I love librarians! I spoke at the YALSA preconference today and so enjoyed soaking in all the librarian goodness! Wish I could cross paths with you Erica, alas, today was my big ALA day. Have FUN!
Like you, I remember when I was very young we were only allowed three books out at a time. So I went to the library on Saturday and had finished my books by Sunday and had to wait a whole week!
Kath:
Wow . . . that is weird. I don't mind a little discussion--but that's why they have those study rooms. But CELL PHONES?!?!?!?
Thanks, Mary. I just found out an old friend of mine's daughter is getting her degree in library science. :-)
Thanks, Melissa. I am signing at Follett's both since they sell to the libraries in such volume.
Sara:
Yup. I wonder if there are still limits. I would guess so.
I love libraries, which is probably lucky since I work in one every weekend (in the ! I have a dream weekend job of working in the children/teen section of one!!!!!!
Oh and one of my fav parts of the job is telling people that they are allowed to check out 99 items (and yes, I must admit that my card has often reached that number!!!!)
Anyway, Erica, it sounds like you're going to have an amazing time at the ALA conference!!!!!
Post a Comment