There have been all sorts of studies in the library world concerning what makes a shelf-full of books appealing to the library user. Is it a jam packed shelf? Sparsely filled? Ancient looking old tomes that appear to have been around since the grand opening in 1908? Crisp new books? Most studies have shown that the shelves readers like best are just below shoulder height and about two thirds full of clean, newer looking books.
No one likes to stretch or stoop to reach a shelf. Last week at the grocery story I saw the bread guy having difficulty rising to his feet after filling the bottom shelves. Just about the time I was ready to call for help, he made it up to his feet. He was truly embarrassed. I know just how he feels. Library users and librarians alike have the same concerns. Perhaps we could buy one of those “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” alarms to share with those of a certain age who wish to see the books that are housed at floor level. Think how much larger the library would need to be if all shelves were at easy reach. Twice as big, probably.
Since that isn’t possible, we weed our shelves regularly so that they don’t get so stuffed that no one will want to pull out a book for fear of starting a cartoon-like avalanche. We weed library shelves in the winter usually. On bad weather days there aren’t so many people in the library to see me stooping and stretching and having difficulty rising from the floor.
When we weed, we put the books we no longer need on the “free” shelves on the landing of the north stairs. They are yours for the taking. Check often, we add new stuff almost daily. Take the books home, give them away, we don’t care. If you insist, when you have finished with them, you can bring them back to the free shelf and let them live another life in a new home. One way or another, they are yours, paid for with your tax dollars. You might as well enjoy them. But, don’t be like me. With every book I weed I think about how hard the author must have worked to write it and get it published. I take too many of them home…..it’s a good thing I don’t work in an animal shelter.
We have ordered an additional Kindle. We plan to put all the upcoming books for Humboldt Reads! book club on it. Patrons will be able to check it out and give it a try. See what you think. Some readers just love them and some like the feel of a real, old fashioned book in their hands. I’ve stood firmly on the side of actual, real pages bound into a volume I can both see and feel. However, I just had a thought… Recently a new book arrived that I have waiting to read. It’s a mystery from an author with whom I am unfamiliar. This book has had all kinds of positive reviews and press. I grabbed it from Demi’s cart before she could catalog it or put on the protective cover. Thus, although I took it home, it isn’t actually checked out to me.
Whew! Otherwise I would be afraid to tell you this story. Recently I have become a devotee of Hardee’s Red Burrito nachos. A plateful makes a satisfying and inexpensive workday lunch. I carried this brand new, unnamed book into Hardee’s with me. On the first page or two I noticed a dribble or two of melted cheese had fallen from my lunch onto the book. Along about page fifteen, a blob of guacamole adorned the page I was reading. I wiped each page as well as I could and took the book home that night with me. Since I had eaten such a nutritious and filling lunch, I decided to skip dinner and snack on some popcorn. Can you guess? The popcorn variety that I had on hand at home is the extra delicious “theater style.” Extra buttery goodness. Extra greasy fingers. I was so wrapped up in the book and trying to keep the popcorn bag away from my dogs that I didn’t notice I was fingerprinting each page.
It’s a very engaging story. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to share the details with you. I’ve said too much already!