I read a post on tumblr from a librarian that mentioned that you should never pace yourself at the library, and always check out all those books. The reasoning for this is that funding for the library is based on numbers. How many people have library cards? How many people are checking out books and using the library’s services? The number of times a book is checked out also determines how long it stays in circulation (though I will say, I checked out one particularly aged book on fabric dyeing and then after I returned it I found it in the library book sale room, so apparently one person is not enough to save a book from being removed from circulation).

When I learned this, I started checking out more books. This year I have spent more time at the library than any other time in my adult life. I have finally learned that the limit for my local free library is 100 books checked out at one time and I have, at times, approached that limit. I’ve also learned that the daily limit for checking things out at one time is 20. I had originally thought that it was 10, but I have since surpassed that number with success.

The capitalist shopping-addicted gremlin within me loves the rush of getting a bunch of books out of the library, and my conscience appreciates that it’s all free. So that shopping urge is satisfied without the guilt! I’ve also checked out some of the board games and art supplies that my library has on loan. One of these days I’ll either check out the bird watching or the ghost hunting kit. The bird watching one is more likely, but the ghost hunting one sounds too whimsical to ignore. Who decided what goes into that kit? How much research did they do when they put it together? Did they need to write a proposal in order to buy the equipment in order to make it an offering? I have so many questions!

My chaotic brain also loves the idea of falling down rabbit holes and being able to switch between various subjects and interests that I am pursuing whenever the mood strikes me. Currently I have amassed collections on gardening, graphic design, wood carving, community building, and urban development.

One of my favorite things to do is when the urge strikes me, I look up a subject and then put a bunch of books on hold. Most of the time the books are available at other branches of my library and they travel to my branch for convenient pick up. I always get a kick out of seeing a returned book on the shelf where it didn’t used to be because it was housed at a different branch when I requested it.

Incidentally, the hold limit is 15, which is unfortunate and has spurred me to use the wishlist feature of my library account to keep track of other books I want to put on hold, but I need to be better about remembering to go through that list again because my interests shift so frequently I’m oftens satisfied with the 15 holds I acquire and then move on to another subject.

My one frustration is that someone else has the same first three letters of their last name AND last three digits of their library card AND they also make frequent use of the holding system. Our books are often interspersed with each other’s and I have to sort through that. On one occasion the other person also checked out books meant for me but naturally, I can’t remember what they were now and can’t be bothered to request them again.

All of this voluminous literary chaos has led me to read more non fiction books in a year than I ever have before (school not withstanding). I may not read them all cover to cover, but I definitely feel enriched by the time I spend with these books and I’m always delighted to learn that there was someone out there that was interested enough in this, that, or the other niche subject that I am currently intersted in in order to write a book on it. The human experience is a delight!

There are many other benefits to the library of course. It’s on the way to my kid’s preschool so pick up and drop off of books is always convenient! I like to take my kids to the library too because they love books and they love being able to play in the indoor playground area and do the scavenger hunts around the building.

I love that I learned how to use the computer catalog system when I was in school and make frequent use of it when I think of a subject I want to explore but haven’t placed any holds. I love that there is a weekly crafting gathering (though I’ve stopped attending since it’s during the work day on Thursdays). I love that there are all sorts of activities for kids, scavenger hunts, talks, movie screenings, story times, events, and more at my library. I love that my library is next to a park, the outdoor community pool, and my kids’ favorite community playground. I love that I can also check out audiobooks to listen to. I love that I can check out movies and tv shows and video games.

I love that the library exists as a place to nourish my mind and my soul, to foster community, to be a safe and warm place for me and my family. Books will soothe us and save us. Libraries will save us.