What's In Your. . .Car?

You know that commercial "What's in your wallet?" Well, I went around the library asking, "What's in your car?". . .meaning what books do you have in your car? I was surprised to find that lots of people keep phone books and atlases in their car. I mean, I have road maps of a couple of cities and states, but I never thought about putting a whole atlas in the car! Just goes to show I don't go very far, I guess. Anyhow, here's what I found on my survey:

• Norma has My Father's Dragon, Ruby in Her Own Time, Pirates Don't Change Diapers, and A Mama for Owen (now what would you expect from a children's librarian?). And she has a Moultrie phone book and atlas.
• Jinx has Invisible Acts of Power by author Caroline Myss.
• Ann has a Moultrie phone book.
• Keva has a paperback, but couldn't remember the name.
• Aileen has Assassin's Apprentice, Sudoku and crossword puzzles.
• Gail has The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Ramona and recipe books.
• Irene has phone books, an atlas, and her teaching books for church.
• Melody has Sudoku; audio books, such as I Heard That Before; a phone book, atlas, the owner's manual to her truck (I bet we all have one, but she was the only one to say this), and one of her Bibles.
• Monique has an atlas and phone book.

So, I guess I should ask you: What's in your car to read? Other than the phone book and an atlas? If you don't have anything, be sure to come to the library and check out a good read. Or if you don't have time to read, check out those audio books. We have lots to choose from. . . . And it's still September, National Library Card Month. Drop by now and get that free library card! It will open a whole new world to you!

The Library Is The Perfect Public Place

You know how it is when you're chit-chatting with a friend. You usually pick up some information you didn't expect. Well, the other day when I was chit-chatting with Norma, she told me that Melody used to present a program about how libraries are the perfect place. Something to this effect: that to visit a library there are no qualifiers, just that you want to learn. You don't have to be rich or poor, well or sick, need money, or be any particular color of the rainbow. And there's no age limit. Some parents get their child a library card before they can even look at the pictures. Some people, like the seniors from Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Doerun, get them when they're older. Granted you need some identification if you want to get a library card, but there are also things you can do in the library without a card. All you have to do is want to come in. There's something here for everyone. Such as:

• Get to know your librarian, the ultimate search engine at your library


• Pick up voter registration information


• Attend a lecture or workshop or meeting


• Call the reference desk if you have a question


• Ask for a recommended reading list for your kids (or yourself)


• Make photocopies


• Read the latest fashion magazine


• Trace your family tree


• Pick up tax forms


• Find a quiet spot, curl up with a good book and enjoy.

So, if you can do all of this without a library card, can you imagine how much more perfect the library will be when you have a library card. This is National Library Card Month. Your smartest card is just waiting for you to pick it up!!!