I work at a University library and patrons occasionally ask if there is a limit to the number of books they can check out. I believe the system has an inherent limit of 9999, but as far as I know it has never been tested, even by the most pack-rattish of the faculty.
Giles: Helping out with the dishes makes me feel useful. Dawn: Wanna clean out the garage with us
Saturday? You could feel indispensable.
'Dirty Girls'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
flea - Mar 22, 2004 9:14:39 am PST #1707 of 10002
information libertarian
Steph L. - Mar 22, 2004 9:18:18 am PST #1708 of 10002
I look more rad than Lutheranism
I'm horrified at these tales of book limits at the library!
When I was a kid, the library had a limit of 5 books at a time for kids. (As far as I know, still does.) But when they realized I was bringing books back every 2 or 3 days -- and when my Mom complained about having to go back to the library so frequently, which I think was the kicker -- they let me take 10 at a time.
Skyzy - Mar 22, 2004 9:19:49 am PST #1709 of 10002
I also must admit, I've never stepped foot in a library. I either purchase the books I want to read or they're loaned by friends. The library seems this scary, disgusting place where people bend the spines on books and sneeze on and dog-ear the pages and generally don't take good care of the books for the next reader. Most of the books are donations, too; It's like a graveyard for all the books no one wants. And then, I have this nightmare that the books will start coming for me, begging me to take them home and rescue them from this horrible place. Scary, scary, scary!
I'd also probably get really mad when I see some of the books in the library and wonder how anyone could give up such a wonderful book. I think it might be safer for the universe if I just stay away. It's like I'm a bibliophobe as well as a bibliophile.
Then again, since I've never actually been to the library, I'm sure it's not as bad as I imagine.
Steph L. - Mar 22, 2004 9:21:15 am PST #1710 of 10002
I look more rad than Lutheranism
I've never stepped foot in a library.
Buh?
I love the library! It's where the books live! And you can take them home with you! For free!
Fred Pete - Mar 22, 2004 9:23:26 am PST #1711 of 10002
Ann, that's a ferret.
I read my parents odd assortment of outdated best-sellers such as . . . Forever Amber.
!!!!!!!!!!!
Ginger wins. Although FA is pretty tame by today's standards.
(And I remember reading some Harold Robbins as a teenager. Especially one very, very steamy scene in The Betsy.)
(EtA mark notin' that I'm quotin'.)
erikaj - Mar 22, 2004 9:23:42 am PST #1712 of 10002
Always Anti-fascist!
Yeah...and they do buy new ones...not as many as I want, but the library is like my crackhouse so this is not possible.
Beverly - Mar 22, 2004 9:25:00 am PST #1713 of 10002
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.
They took my library card away. When I like something, I don't want to give it back. And I form an irrational attachment to the actual physical book I read the first time. No, I don't want a shiny new one of my own, I want this one.
It's cheaper to buy my own.
Jesse - Mar 22, 2004 9:25:26 am PST #1714 of 10002
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
The library is the BEST! And I don't think most of the books at the library are donations.
erikaj - Mar 22, 2004 9:26:45 am PST #1715 of 10002
Always Anti-fascist!
I haven't read anything I liked that much in a long time...this is sad.
DavidS - Mar 22, 2004 9:29:01 am PST #1716 of 10002
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Then again, since I've never actually been tho the library, I'm sure it's not as bad as I imagine.
I think of libraries as sanctuaries. I love being in an old, well-stocked library. Free books! How can you fear that?