Back When People Went to the Library

Not so long ago I was watching an old favorite movie with a friend. It was Of Unknown Origin. Remember it? Peter Weller played an urbanite who lives in a beautiful restored brownstone. His idyllic life is shattered by the intrusion of a very large, very intelligent, very aggressive rat. If you haven't seen it, you should. It's pretty good.

Anyway, at one point Weller is at a library researching rats. My friend made the comment, "That was back when people went to the library".

I didn't think about it a lot at the time. I was engrossed in the movie, even though I had seen it a few times before. But later it kind of haunted me. Back when people went to the library...

My friend was right, though. It's true. People don't go to the library much anymore. And why should they? Everything is available on their computers and e-books are cheap. Who needs to go to the library?

I do. I've always loved libraries. I've spend countless hours in them. Roaming among the books, reading magazines, just enjoying time among the words. Not to mention getting plenty of free reading materials.

I think it's sad. I've always considered libraries to be the cornerstone of any civilized community. So much is there to be had, and for free. Knowledge, entertainment, art, culture.

Libraries offer so much. The local ones near me offer free tax consultations. Free computer lessons. Clubs and events. Movies. Writer groups. Events for children.

But people simply aren't going to libraries anymore. Some are, sure, but not like before. Programs are cancelled because of lack of interest. Some people don't even want to read books from libraries because they fear that someone has soiled them somehow. I've heard that people have found boogers in library books, but of the hundreds I've borrowed I've never seen evidence of that. I'd be more concerned about touching door handles and credit/debit card machines. Not that I am. That way lies madness.

There could conceivably come a day when libraries become obsolete. Everyone content to stay at home and do all of their reading, researching, and even socializing at their computers and other electronic gadgets. It sounds like an Orwellian nightmare to me.

When is the last time you spent any time at your local library? I can't speak for all of them, everywhere, but all of the libraries I've been to have been filled with great people and great books.