Rediscovering the Library, and Loving It
Editorial Article By: Jayson Woods, Communications Specialist, Orange County Communications Department
How often do you visit the library? I ’ m almost ashamed to admit that since becoming an adult, the library had become something of an afterthought for me. When I did think about it, which was not often, it usually conjured distant memories of walking in a line with my classmates, all of us with pinky fingers raised high in the air (a practice intended to help keep the line of children quiet and orderly, which I once thought universal but now understand to be pretty unique to my primary school experience) on our way to a colorful, seasonally - decorated room full of large - print picture books. My mind ’ s eye recalls the room as HUGE. However, having visited that room since, I ’ ve found it was not much larger than a normal classroom. I ’ ve since chalked it up to the same phenomenon of childhood memory that causes one to remember Christmas trees as gigantic or mild carnival rides as exhilarating. My more recent library - focused memories, primarily from college, are less pleasant. They mostly involve staying up late in a last - ditch attempt to cram as much information as possible into my head before a test. In September, out of a desire to read more fiction and intrigued by a fall - themed bingo promotion organized by the Orange County Public Library, I decided to update my impressions. The nostalgic in me was pleased to see bright colors and autumn trappings all around as I entered and approached the front desk. Being coworkers, I was familiar with the folks there, and I told them their bingo promotion had motivated me to come get a library card. It may be of interest to the reader that library cards are available for free to Orange County residents and residents of neighboring counties. Library staff happily directed me to a computer where I was able to complete the application process. When I returned to the front desk, I was given a provisional card and the ability to check out a few items with the promise of a loan limit increase once I had returned a postcard which was to be mailed to my address. This measure ensures proper residency and is a safeguard against abuse of the system. Indeed, the card came to me in the mail promptly, I returned it accordingly, and my checkout limit was increased exponentially. I am not really a fast reader, however, and the limit on physical checkouts was never a major concern for me. On the very day I got my card, I checked out a single physical book - An Event in Autumn , by Henning Mankell. I picked this book almost entirely because it was arranged on an endcap specifically - designed to point patrons toward stories that would help them complete the bingo card. Well played, library staff! I was also intrigued about reading a “ thriller, ” since I have never gravitated towards those kinds of stories. To be clear, my purpose here is not to review the book. It ’ s probably someone else ’ s cup of tea, but I mostly drink coffee. More exciting to me was that it was the first library book that I had checked out since graduating college. Even better, I actually read it! As a result, I was able to get a few bingo spaces stamped, and reignite an interest in leisure reading. Despite that success, I do not find myself with an excessive amount of spare time for reading. I expect many Insight readers feel the same (although please continue to make time to read this particular publication). With that in mind, I want to highlight the other benefits of which I ’ ve taken advantage since becoming a full - fledged card - carrying library member. First, the (almost overwhelming) availability of digital media cannot be overstated. As a hot tip to new cardholders, be sure to take the time to download apps like Libby and hoopla. It ’ s a few extra steps, but they are very straightforward and the result gives access to content, FOR FREE, that rivals the kind of thing one might pay monthly fees to enjoy. Audiobooks, eBooks,
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