Monday, January 12, 2009

I Joined the Library

I know many of you are regular visitors to the library, and when I was a kid, I lived there! In my older years, though, I started to use it less and less. It has been so long at this point that I had to actually get a new library card because mine was lost somewhere along the way! (And they made me pay, which bothers me only because the system has changed and my old card wouldn't work anyway). So, I now have a library card. I chose seven books today and put a hold on them. Now, I am trying to figure out how I find out when the books are available. Someone I asked said they get emailed, but since they don't have my email, I don't think that is how it works here. This is a learning experience!

So, drum roll please, my first books requested from the public library in years (I used the university one, of course) are:

Looking for Alaska by John Green
The brief wondrous life of Oscar Wao
Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin
Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
Only in Canada You Say by Katherine Barber
East by Edith Pattou

That's quite the interesting assortment!

19 comments:

  1. Yay! I'm a big fan of my library although they're kind of slow to get new releases (only sometimes). I'm quite pleased with their selection and I love requesting books. LOL I'm a requesting fiend. Hope you figure out the notification system. :P

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  2. I don't think I've heard of Only in Canada You Say. Looking forward to hearing what you thought.

    And my old library (and my new one) called me when my books were in. When I added my e-mail address to my old library account, I also got e-mail notifications--often hours before the phone call. :)

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  3. And what a fantastic list of books it is that you requested! Hope you enjoy them. I really need to learn to use my library again. I used to...Bart's comment reminded me that i need to stop buying, lol!

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  4. Ahh, I too am a big fan of the library and as I'm not buying any books for the next 6 months, I sense it will become very useful! I'm sure you will love Looking for Alaska!

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  5. Anonymous7:32 AM

    Do they have your phone number? My old library had a phone system where an automated voice called when one of my books was in. (Then I stopped using the library because there were problems with the hold program in which books would randomly disappear from it.)

    You've got a good list going there. Can't wait to read your reviews. :)

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  6. I did a happy dance when I saw the first three titles :D I loved them so much. I can't wait to see what you think of them. The last is waiting for me on the pile...must get to it!

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  7. You might be able to tell from the online catalogue as well by looking at your account details.

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  8. I use the libraries website to place holds, it's a good way to keep all my wishlist items together also for easy reference. The library used to phone me when the books came in, but I loathe recorded messages so I added my email instead.

    Can't wait to hear what you think of Looking For Alaska!

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  9. It is a very interesting assortment! I have always liked the library, but I renewed my love affair with it last year and we are going at it like rabbits this year so far (what a strange analogy...metaphor..whatever).

    I've got four books on my table and three more waiting for me to pick them up. Not a wide genre variety: all sci fi except for one gaming book, but I saved a ton of money!!!

    It is too bad they don't have email. Do they call you when stuff is in? Ours used to do that and send a little card in the mail before they go the email system up and running. It is great to reserve books, renew books, and learn about your awaiting books (and overdue books and fines) on the computer.

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  10. I really love my library, but when I went yesterday Looking for Alaska was checked out, and I was disappointed. Another one I wanted was lost, but I ordered it and another one through interlibrary loan.

    I liked The Zookeeper's Wife and East -- what a contrast, reality and fairy tale! Both were very good.

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  11. I've no library close enough for me to use and haven't for many years... when you check out that many books, how long before you have to return them?? it used to be 2 weeks ..but that was eons ago!


    ohhh, East is in my tbr pile!

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  12. Anonymous12:03 PM

    hi! my first visit to your blog and I have to comment because this entry! I'm librarian from Barcelona, Spain and have to say that I don't buy books anymore...all I read is from libraries...
    ;-)
    well..not all!
    About your list, I read already the fantastic Pulitzer of Junot Diaz and I have to say that I loved it! Hope you can enjoy it as well!
    Ahh! And I got it form my library!
    ;-)

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  13. Ames: I just went through my wish list, so I am not sure on new releases. If it is a new release that I really want, than chances are I will buy it anyway! I am trying not to become a requesting fiend. I am number one on all those books I listed but one...

    Jena: I imagine they will call me too.

    Chris: I am glad I am not the only one that sort of got out of step with the library system. I can't afford to buy many books this year, so this is the next best idea, right?

    Mariel: I am looking forward to Looking for Alaska. I have seen a lot of positive reviews!

    Court: I think at least one of those books I saw on your blog... I think it was you anyway. I really need to start writing things down!

    Nymeth: Chances are those first three titles all came from you! I added a bunch of books to my wish list when you did your best of posts. There probably would be more, but the library didn't have several that I tried for.

    Marg: I know. I keep checking my account hoping that it tells me I have books to pick up while I am in the town with the library. You wait, Thursday I will be no where near here and that is when they will call and tell me I have books to pick up.

    Joanne: It was the library website that I used to place holds yesterday. It was fun... I just tried not to have too much fun! I need to read the books I already own, too!

    Carl: Yeah, I saw you have been using the library more. I tried to get a few books for the sci-fi challenge, but everything I tried they didn't have!

    Jen: I have wanted to read both East and The Zookeeper's Wife for a really long time, so I am glad that I will soon have a chance to read them.

    Deslily: I have libraries, but they are not the greatest. All seven of those books have to be sent to me from another library, none of them were anywhere near me. Me, you, and Nymeth should read East together... You'd have to wait for me to get it, though!

    ana: Thanks for stopping by! The Junot Diaz book is the only one that I have to wait a while for, but I look forward to reading it when I get the chance!

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  14. Love, love, love my library. I can order my books online and they'll be delivered to my nearest branch where they will call me to let me know when they come in (of course my account tells me that too and since I check it at least once a day then I know beforehand).

    Alot of libraries are computerized now. Type in your library name and see if it comes up.

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  15. I requested books online. It is still in the early technological stages, though.

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  16. Yay for the library! My library calls me when my books are ready for me. (Sounds so posh).

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  17. I think mine will probably call me too.

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  18. Anonymous2:01 PM

    My library makes you pay for your card only if you lose the first one. They also call us when a book comes in and you have I think it's 24 hours to claim it, or they pass it along to the next on the list.
    I put Looking for Alaska on my wishlist just yesterday!

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  19. I wish my library would call me for something. I am ready to get the books flowing, but so far I haven't found a single book I can just go pick up. Everything is either out all ready or they have to send it from another library.

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