Merriam Park Library is 43 steps away from my front door. I first made the journey three weeks ago. Since then I've checked out 15 different pieces of material, 11 books and 4 movies, most of which I've used in my classroom.
I've found that the staff is not only helpful, but also very amiable. They take pride in their little library and it shows in the way it is managed and maintained. To be honest I've been using them as a resource since the end of August, when I moved in across the street. One of the first things I did upon moving into my apartments was to open up my laptop and check for any wireless signals, sure enough I found one and it was been broadcast from the library.
I've long been a card carrying library user, but never before have I been a weekly customer. I'm surprised at how quickly I've started recognizing faces and even more surprised at the various age groups that frequent the quiet corners of Merriam. Young children sit on the windowsill flipping through books whose pages are mostly covered with pictures. Early teens whisper to one another as the scan their eyes from webpage to webpage looking for the latest gossip. Local college students strain their eyes and pull at their hair trying to complete an assignment I'm sure they've put off longer than planned. And then, there are the elderly. This is the group that surprises me the most. They not only read through books with print too tiny for my eyes, but I've witnessed them sending emails to family and even using instant messenger. I would love to spend time chatting online with my grandparents and never before had imagined the possibility.
I know I'll continue to visit my library and use the resources it has available. How can I afford not to when the late fees are so cheap.
