There’s something magical about opening a book from the library and seeing the card punched with a few dates. They have an electronic system so there’s no need to do that anymore, and the newer books don’t even have that ancient card. Still, at least 3 people picked out and, presumably, read this particular copy of Edmund Wilson’s Patriotic Gore. Twice in 1964 and once in 1972. There seem to be different methods of checking it out as one has numbers written next to it and one has WS (something to do with the West Seattle branch, perhaps?).
Of course, the library is more than a random question about where this book has gone. And I have rediscovered it in the time since I decided my computer should take a dip a few weeks ago. The mixing chamber* in the Central Library gave me the chance to stay a bit connected connected, and to post a little something.
Even since I’ve got the computer back in working order, I’ve still gone back and written some posts looking at the city, and checked out some books. It’s free for any Seattle resident, and I’d highly encourage you to check out your local branch.
* I’m pretty sure that’s what they call the computer room, but am too lazy to look it up.
I bought a collection of Algernon Blackwood stories at a recent Olympia Library booksale. It was originally published in England in 1954, and spent part of its life in the Philadelphia public library system. Still has the little pocket in the back, with the card in it. I hope it was officially discharged and not stolen, as the overdue fee would be pretty high by now.
I despise the new down town Seattle Public Library for the anesthetics. The space has done everything it could to make it an uncomfortable and unpleasant place to be. It feels like a setting for scifi movie where everyone is alienated and paranoid, like Gattica or Clockwork Orange. It echos. It’s concrete, metal and garish plastic. The reference spiral is disturbing. The only thing they could do that would make it worse would be air horns set off at random intervals and pumping in the smell from a stock yard. There is nothing inviting about that space.
The only thing they could do that would make it worse would be air horns set off at random intervals and pumping in the smell from a stock yard.
I’ll be sure to cite this, the next time I ask the city to increase funds for library operations.:-)
Seriously, one of the best things about the downtown branch is the large number of private spaces — nooks and crannies, if you will — which allow for quiet and privacy in that large and mostly open building. Whether researching my next career move, or researching a major purchase, or just grabbing a novel and sitting in a chair to read it, there was always a good space available to do it, often, as Carl notes, with a great view to be had. Plus, tourists are still stopping by, just to take pictures of the place. How many cities can say that?
I recently renewed my SPL card. The one in my wallet was so old they wanted it for the museum.