The Library

Ok, so I know its been a week or so since my last post and yes I am quite possibly a huge slacker but hey...sometimes it just works out that way. So this post includes a photo that is not my own, I know, I know, so unlike me the gal who is always taking pictures. I have good reason for this. I am currently at the new Kennewick Library on Union, so the picture is one I found on the web of the library. I've been wanting to check out the new building but wasn't sure if I could get a card here since I do live in Pasco. Well, things change. Yep, it is now Mid Columbia Libraries and there is a whole list of local libraries that they gave me that us in the Tri Cities can go to. Once you have a card for one you can go to any of them, even Connell! Its such a different process now. As a kid we always went to the old Kennewick Library of course, you know the one across from Kennewick High School and next to Keewaydin Park.

I remember the smell of that library, the smell of most libraries. They just have that distinct musty paper smell. I remember the little plastic boxes that had cards and black pens in them at the desk. Those are what you used when checking out books. At the Kennewick Library you didn't get a library card. You just filled out one of those little cream colored cards with the green lines and letters each time you went there. Then the librarian would hold each book under the counter and it made a kind of dull clunking noise. Still not sure what that was for because I don't think they had electronic sensors back then. I still liked to hear that noise though, it made it seem like it was all official that I was checking out books.

When you entered and left the library there were these silver arm bars that you had to push and walk through. Kinda similar to ones you'd see at an amusement park gate. I always thought that was so cool that I got to go through them. For whatever reason I was easily amused sometimes as a kid.

I did notice today upon walking into the new library that the musty paper smell isn't quite as strong. Its there but not like it was in the old library. And computers have replaced the old card catalogs and microfiche machines. Do you remember those?!?! That was fun sometimes to get those plastic laminate strips with the newspapers on them. I wonder where those all are now? Some landfill somewhere probably. You even checkout your own books now. Seriously, its just a bar code on your card and a bar code on the book and you're outta there.

So, I guess more importantly...why other than to check out the new building am I sitting here at the library on the internet? Well, my computer at home isn't working right and I was told yesterday at work that because of the economy they may only have work for me for another couple of weeks. In that case since my internet is down I am here checking out my options. I have a few great leads and have acted on them, but am still open to suggestions or if anyone has any thing they know of, by all means help a sister out!