Carded

I have four library cards from four libraries that I use regularly.

Two of the libraries – Capitol Area District Library and the Library of Michigan – are three blocks from each other. The other two, East Lansing Public Library and Michigan State University – are also within walking distance from one another. All four libraries are within 3 miles of one another. But actually, most of the books I want I have delivered from MeLCat – the Michigan state-wide catalog and inter-library loan service where I can go online, find the books I want and click “Send this to me!” and, due to the excellent mail routing service at the library where I work, those books are delivered to my desk within 4-5 days, from all over the state. MeLCat has over 21 million items. Most everything I need, I can get from MeLCat, including all of the books from the four libraries where I have cards with in town.

But I have all of those cards for specific and important reasons, and one of them I pay for. Happily. Without any resentment. I really value the services of all of those libraries. Let’s review.

*East Lansing Public Library. I pay a non-residency fee for this card yearly because I don’t live in East Lansing and its $20 or $25. This library is one location – no branches. It has good parking. It has excellent service including an art gallery where I once got the single most fantastic butter dish I have ever laid eyes on. Also, I know exactly where Steven King, John Sandford and Anne Rice are on the shelves – authors I re-read regularly. Sometimes on a Friday, after a long day week, I think, “Y’know, the only thing I want in the universe is to sit down tonight and read ‘The Shining.'” And I go to ELPL, because I can walk in, get the book, check it out, leave, no hassles. I also know where the cook books are (physically) without having to look them up. They have a paging service. You can look at their books online, click “Page this” and when you get there, the book is waiting for you at the front counter (I’m actually too embarrassed to use this). They have a really cute children’s room that I walk through to get to the Harry Potter on tape books. And they are SO FRIENDLY. They have awesome customer service. East Lansing Public is considered a “medium-sized” public library.

*Michigan State University. I have what is known as a “community card.” This means a 10-day check-out period. I need this card because they are an academic library and have different materials than all the other libraries. I used to study there when I was in grad school (at Wayne State), and of course as an undergrad when I went to MSU, and they have a great library science collection, and sometimes I couldn’t wait the 4-5 days for MeLCat, I just needed the book. Also, once, I was there to study with a friend and I wasn’t feeling much like studying so I pulled the Pat Califia books off the shelf and read them over a latte in their Internet coffee bar overlooking the gardens, and ended up checking one out at the end of the evening. So, obviously, I need a card to an academic library. Also, I used to have “Grad Assistant” privileges for 2 professors I worked for. That meant I could check out books in their name (for their research). Power. Also, MSU’s staff? Really awesome librarians there, seriously smart people doing a great job of running a library. Plus, I get all nostalgic going in there and, despite, mediocre parking, sometimes I simply need one of their books. Now. Right now. How, exactly, does one get by without a local academic library?

*Capitol Area District Library. This is the public library I’m assigned to by where I live and pay taxes. I didn’t have a card there for the longest time, but I have for several years. There is one thing that drives me crazy about CADL. They have branches. Lots of them. You look up a book and it could be anywhere in the system, including other towns. It takes days to get the book to where you are or you have to drive to pick it up. Also, the big branch, downtown? Bad parking. On the up side, they have LOTS of books, lots more than ELPL, including great Star Trek Voyager and a beautific collection of young adult books on tape which came in really handy when I GenreJumped into teen lit. I got a card there when Hubby and I wanted to read the (then) latest David Guterson book “Our Lady of the Forest” (good book, the last 5 pages were kind of a sell-out). See, CADL has very progressive policies and no late fees for books. It takes us a while to read a book out loud so we got this title to read and figured we’d just keep it (no fines, right?) and then we started getting email late notices and I was so racked with guilt I returned the book and bought it so we could finish it. Also, we get free downloadable audio books from our card at CADL – a necessary part of existence on the face of the planet earth.

*Library of Michigan. This is the state library. Also, I have a Michicard sticker here. This means that I can walk in and (no non-residency fee) check out books at lots of participating libraries in the state for free. No, ELPL does not participate.

*Hubby has an account (a “card”) at the Library for the Blind. Over 60,000 titles on tape and in downloadable audio format. I, of course, would NEVER use his card for myself. Never, never, never.

I also have cards at the Library of Congress, the British Library and the National Library of Wales. I don’t use those cards very often anymore, but consider them prized possessions (Y’know, I should totally get those framed. I feel a present coming on.) I also have courtesy cards at several libraries around the country so I can get in and see how part of their system works.

All of this? Totally necessary. I don’t know what I’d do without my four local library cards.