Book Club+ MPC discussion
Do you remember when you received your very first library card?
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Donna, you definitely remember it a lot better than I do! I only remember my first card was from the public library in Novato (my hometown up in the north bay near San Rafael). I think my mom got it for me, haha. But I've always had a library card since then! I miss going to my local library though, it has been 6 months since I was last there (right before Covid hit)!
Mod
Hi Colton,
My third grade teacher was one of my favorite teachers and I think the reason I remember so much from that time. I have told this story to many people, my brother and I would get our backpacks and ride our bikes to the El Gabilan Branch Library. We only had one family car and my dad was working, so we had to make our own transportation or walk. I would fill my back-pack with "Nancy Drew" books and my brother would fill his with "Hardy Boys" books.
I miss going to the public libraries as well since the closings. While I purchase many books, I still check-out library books.
-Donna
My first library card was from the local library where my mother worked. The card was very plain, it was small and white and I believe it had my name embossed on it. I remember filling out the application, with my 5 year old scrawl, and the wonder I felt when I received my own card. It was quite a proud moment to be able to be independent and check out my library selections with my own library card.
Mod
Hi Amy,
You were so very lucky to be able to visit the library where your mother worked. I agree, the feeling of holding that library card in your hands. While many might disagree with me, it was better than money. It was a treasure. Yes, the independence of being able to select your book choices with your own card. It made me feel like an adult, very grown-up. I wish I would've had a photo of me with that card. Nice memories.
-Donna
Donna wrote: "I remember receiving my very first library card from the El Gabilan Branch Library in Salinas, California. My third grade teacher made sure everyone in our class had one. We did a walking field tri..."These memories of what that card and how it opened up the world is why we work in libraries isn't it! Great question Donna!
Donna wrote: "Colton wrote: "Donna, you definitely remember it a lot better than I do! I only remember my first card was from the public library in Novato (my hometown up in the north bay near San Rafael). I thi..."Colton so great to see you online in this group! I too still use libraries now more than ever as we are trying to downsize our library of materials at home. I haven't checked out anything in about a year as I am rereading some old favs before I get rid of stuff we are weeding!
Amy wrote: "My first library card was from the local library where my mother worked. The card was very plain, it was small and white and I believe it had my name embossed on it. I remember filling out the appl..."I remember my first card too....and I had it for the longest time, and when I lost it I was heartbroken....
I grew up in our public library. My dad would take me at least 3x weekly after dinner and once on most Saturdays and he would read the newspapers as he was trying to learn English and i was left to browse in the children's section and lose myself as Donna remembers to explore whole worlds I never knew existed. I had the best children's librarians who occasionally guided my reading, and I stayed in contact with 2 of them till both passed in the last 10 years. I think its why I became a children's librarian and worked on the bookmobile!
Mod
Hi Deborah,
I agree with you 100%. I became friends with the librarians and staff who worked at the El Gabilan Public Library and it became a second home to me. It was a safe and welcoming place to go and do my homework, study, read etc. Libraries are a lifeline for so many people and their importance and need has only increased during difficult times. #LibrariesTransform -Donna
Deborah wrote: "Amy wrote: "My first library card was from the local library where my mother worked. The card was very plain, it was small and white and I believe it had my name embossed on it. I remember filling ..."Hi Deborah, great to see you as well! Hopefully you are doing well and are safe from all the fires and smoke! -Colton
It was the first time I went to visit my friend, we were in the fifth grade. She lived right next door to the Seaside Library. It was raining that day, really hard. Her father who would eats onions like apples. Which would turn my stomach. Had said that we should go to the library, so he walked us over. He put us in the back corner in the children section. We first started looking at the book where you can where you can choose the adventure by turning to certain pages. We had so much in common. She said these books are good but let me show you some other books. She took me to the section were no one really was. She pulls out two books she gives me one and we sit right in the row. The cover of the book was soft and it had gold letters on it, that read Fairies. We sat there for hours reading. Her father came to get us and told us it was time to go. He told me that I can take it home if I check it out. So he took us to the front counter. There was a little lady with beautiful white hair, that looked so soft. I went first and she asked me for my library card and I told her I didn't have one. She smiled at me and said in her little voice that I had to have one in order to take the book home. She must have seen my face change and said all you have to do is bring a piece of mail had have one of your parent's to sign this form. My friend reached over and grabbed my book and put hers with it. I was so happy that I was going to keep reading my book. When we left I knew she was my best friend. That night when my dad came home I told my dad that we had to get this filled out before I go back to my friends house. I keep bugging him, so we walked to the library and turned in everything I needed to get a library card. I can say I probably went through five or six library cards because I always lost them. I can also say I only lost one book and had a book over due once. We went to the Library every day. We also used to play on the trees that were on the side or the big field on the other side making mini daisy chains.
Mod
What great memories. That is a true friend checking out the book for you. Isn't it amazing that we remember our first librarian experiences and I can only assume that you are still a big fan of fantasy and fairies. Libraries have that ability to fill a part inside us as children and beyond. Daisy chains! I made those too. Thank you for sharing that.
-Donna
A whole new world opened up to me. I had the freedom to choose a book that allowed me to travel to places I could never imagine. I was never alone. I had friends even if they were ones from a book. I also discovered all the kindred spirits I met by going to a library. The power of a library and a library card inspires us for a lifetime. -Donna