The Hit List

One of the great thing about being raised by a pair of punks was an appreciation for great music.

In Praise of the Library...

Chris Satullo's piece a few months ago in Newsworks titled "If books fade away, can we call the iPad progress?" made me realize how doomed certain things we take for granted might be. In his piece, which I have linked to, Chris laments that he and his wife haven't indulged in a favorite pastime: browsing a book store.
While I am partial to perusing purveyors of the printed page, I was left feeling that there was something missing from Chris' musing. I struck me a few days ago when I visited...my local library.
(Author's note: I looked at some readers comments while finding the link to Satullo's piece and found someone pointing out the library as well.)
After borrowing an acquantence's copy of 'I, Claudius', I found it was one disc short. So I sallyed forth to my local library branch and found the item I need to complete my viewing pleasure. After leaving with said item I realized how empty my life might be without the library.
My life has been sort of a love affair with the library and stories. Thankfully, my mum and dad would read to my sister and I when we were little. We always saw them reading something; books, magazines, newspapers. The internet was still something out of Star Trek.
Growing up in Manayunk, my first introduction into the library was in elementary school, the late St. John the Baptist School, the library was inside the convent until it found a roomier spot in the upper school building. I admit in those earlier days, I picked out books for being big and lots of pictures.
It was Mum who got me my first library card at my local branch. A card that I put to good use borrowing books, books on tape and sometimes videos...and it was all free, provided you brought it back on time. I would renew my card when I had too. (Though a few days, I discovered that they no longer expire) Throughout elementary school and high school, the Roxborough and Andorra branch library were I would do much of research for school projects or simply pass the time especially during those long summer months.
My University had it's own extensive library system so my use of my local library waned. By the time I graduated, the internet was the place to get whatever you wanted.
But the library isn't completely out of my life. My own massive book collection came from clearance shelf of the big box stores, gorgeously shelved second-hand book shops and yes, library sales and giveaways.
While I hope to enjoy with brave new world that we live in; for those of us who can not afford iPads, Kindles or Nooks, there is one last refuge for us to go but I wonder how long it will last.

"We do need knowledge. And perhaps in a thousand years we might pick smaller cliffs to jump off. The books are to remind us what asses and fools we are...There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches." -Ray Bradbury

New beginnings, or will the third time be the charm for regular posts?

After a Plimpton-esque debacle into politics, I have come to realize that journalism is my true passion. Informing the people is a nobler and more rewarding profession than having an office in City Hall. I am been useful for the folks at Newsworks. Here's some links to my recent stories for them, here and here.

Now that I am blessed with a bit more free time. I hope to be able to bring some more commentary on to this blog for your enjoyment. In the next couple of days, I'll be bringing you more thoughts on books, life and the pursuit of happiness....maybe.