We LOVED the library back home! We often had our limit of 75 books checked out and I always carried my spare change with me in my purse specifically for our late fines.
Our librarians in the "snowglobe" knew us by name, and often held books for us that they thought might interest us. I owe them a great big tray of muffins and fruits for all of their help in readying our family for India. I think that leading up to our departure, every book in a six state radius was trucked into our little town for our family to devour, trying to get any and all information we could about India!
My love of books started early, and I was reading by the age of three (or shortly after ... I'm sure mom will correct me?). Stories are told that I carried a bag full of books everywhere I went, in case I found some spare time while waiting in a line, or during a car ride.
I devoured series of books and often wishes the author hadn't stopped at their last book. My first official job was AT a library, as a page ... and I loved every minute of that.
One of my fears when moving to Delhi was that our family would not have easy access to a library system that we were used to back in the States.
Pleasant surprise!
The kids' school has several great libraries on campus, although I haven't ventured into the middle school or high school libraries. The checkout limit is a bit pathetic, at 5 books per family at a time, so we don't get much use out of it, except that the elementary school library houses a fantastic book selection and VERY willing and helpful librarians!
There is also the American Women's Association library, located on embassy property. I have a special love for this library, as it smells like the library I used to work at. Like BOOKS. Like pages and pages of knowledge, information and new things to learn.
I am going to be volunteering my time there in the weeks to come, and I'm excited about that. My children share in my love of books ... all three of them ... and I'm excited to bring home new books for them to devour, pore over and learn from.
The cool thing is that all embassy personnel (NOT just Americans) have access to this library, so the opportunity to rub shoulders with some locals is presented. Something I've felt lacking so far in my experience of Delhi.
Bring on the books!
