If anything, this is a good reflection on how much I appreciate what libraries provide for us. I rarely purchase books because I much more enjoy going to my local library, browsing, and picking up books that I know folks have held in their hands before me.
So far, I haven't heard of any libraries in the U.S. shuttering completely yet due to the COVID-19 virus, but this could also be because I have not sought out that information.
In this mid-year reflection, I recall conversations with folks in the library system where I work who shared that they miss their library. I hope I continue to hear through the frustration and grief how much we all need each other.
Libraries are unique public institutions that we'd all do well to support and preserve, places of public forum, free exchange of information and ideas, that truly do provide so much more than what we realize as we go about our daily. From the practical - having a place to print free pages, having a place to use the bathroom, to keep warm or cool off and refresh, to simply sit - To the more abstract - having a place that all should feel welcome and safe - I miss our libraries too.
Here is a comparison of my last year's tally to this year's over a 6 month period - I debated not sharing this because it is so dismal. In the midst of this, some life changes that were also quite drear. It's hard sometimes to simply read it all away.
I started off in January feeling so free! By April, I was clinging to a last book that I didn't want to end, not because of its merit but because I didn't want to miss the feeling of having a book in hand. A neighbor and coworker truly saved me by meeting me outside of a temporarily closed library that sits just between us with a few personal books to lend - I traded with snacks and electrolytes - and was thrilled to be able to give them back when we returned to work in June (after their due quarantine).
I intended to capture the next 6 months of comparison as well, but I think I'll spare myself and just remember how much goodness has come from my life with libraries instead.
January 2019 - 2 number of books read
January 2020 - 7 number of books read
February 2019 - 2 number of books read
February 2020 - 3 number of books read
March 2019 - 4 number of books read
March 2020 - 2 number of books read
April 2019 - 3 number of books read
April 2020 - 1 number of books read
May 2019 - 5 number of books read
May 2020 - 2 number of books read
June 2019 - 4 number of books read
June 2020 - 1 number of books read
July 2019 - 3 number of books read
July 2020 - 3 number of books read