Mattymatt
Imperfectly Perfect
I really love libraries as they are like one of the last bastions of learning in a world that seems to devalue education. After all, education and libraries are often two of the first things to get cut from budgets. The library is one of the last places that you can just be in without having to spend money or be forced to keep moving. The library is my sanity when I need a place to go to get out of my apartment.
The other day I was saddened to observe that there are fewer and fewer books on the shelves. I asked the reference librarian and she said it's due to the fact that much of the material is now in ebook format. I guess ebooks are cheaper but I still prefer reading from printed material. I used the card catalogue and I was dismayed to find all of the books that I want are not available in print form at my library and I don't have a tablet. So I took a drive to the local Barnes and Noble to get a Nook and part with 49.00 that I don't really have.
The library is my escape space where I can just linger and relax without the expectation of ponying up money. However, it's now starting to feel like every other place where I'm expected to just stop in for a short moment and move on. Gone are the comfortable chairs and reading lamps. It feels cold and austere now. Is this a microcosm of what we've become?
Even the magazine section is reduced to a selection of magazines not worth the paper that they're printed on. I used to spend hours reading Model Railroader and the HAM Radio Magazines. They are just gone. It's sad. I miss the libraries of yore.
The other day I was saddened to observe that there are fewer and fewer books on the shelves. I asked the reference librarian and she said it's due to the fact that much of the material is now in ebook format. I guess ebooks are cheaper but I still prefer reading from printed material. I used the card catalogue and I was dismayed to find all of the books that I want are not available in print form at my library and I don't have a tablet. So I took a drive to the local Barnes and Noble to get a Nook and part with 49.00 that I don't really have.
The library is my escape space where I can just linger and relax without the expectation of ponying up money. However, it's now starting to feel like every other place where I'm expected to just stop in for a short moment and move on. Gone are the comfortable chairs and reading lamps. It feels cold and austere now. Is this a microcosm of what we've become?
Even the magazine section is reduced to a selection of magazines not worth the paper that they're printed on. I used to spend hours reading Model Railroader and the HAM Radio Magazines. They are just gone. It's sad. I miss the libraries of yore.