Why I Don't Use Our Public Library

I used to. When I was on maternity leave, I paid for a maximum membership at our public library - 2 books per person in the family. I was reading about 1 book every 3 days, and 8 books took me on average about the full month that I had the books.

My last set of books was due on Sunday, and I didn't get around to returning them before I went back to working full time. One of the main reasons is the idiotic opening hours. I went yesterday and then again today - and it still wasn't open at the time that I went!

Why is it that I have to check the opening times every time I go somewhere? Why can't things be open, like from 8-7 or something normal like that? Or at least be open for the same time every day?

I had intended on going on Sunday after work with the girls. Sunday was running late and I forgot all about it. But I had checked the times, and knew that it opened again at 4 PM.

So Monday, 4 PM, and I'm at the library with all 8 books. No go, on Monday's it's not open until 5. I DID look at the times when I was there, but somehow I forgot what they were.

Eden went to a friend's today, and I took Yemima to the library at 5. And messed up again. Tuesdays, they aren't open in the afternoon at all! But see it was misleading because there was an event at the library that people were going to. So I followed them. And the door downstairs, with the elevator was locked. So I trudged up ALL the stairs (you Modiiners know how many there are) with the Snap'n'Go. And Yemima bundled up in her coat which she doesn't like so much getting cranky. And nobody asked if I needed help! I think that is the FIRST time I've been with her on steps and no one asked if they could help. Usually I say I'm ok, it's kind of silly to have someone help you on 2 or 3 steps. But this time I really did need it! And the regular Israeli brotherhood failed me.

In the end, someone unlocked the door for me (special!!) and put my books on the desk to be returned tomorrow. Hope they do. I'm going to be lazy about calling about it to follow up.

So this is a bit of a rant - you could say it's my fault, because I didn't check the times. But see for yourselves.

Sunday: 4-7

Mon, Wed, Thurs: 9-2, 5-8

Tues: 8-12

Fri: 8-12

Who can remember that?

What demographic are they aiming for? Ladies Who Lunch and can be there for the mornings? Because it's certainly not for working parents, who are working in the mornings and would like to be home with their kids during dinner time. Certainly not THIS working mom who would like a couple of quiet minutes at the library before picking up her kids. And certainly not school age kids, who are in school in the morning, and who should ALSO (IM not so humble O) be home with their family at dinner time. I mean, school gets out here at 1:20 so that they don't have to provide lunches. What better place to go then to the library? Ooops, but it's closed. I think I'll hang out in the street for a few hours, go smash some bottles in the park. Later on, I'll go when it's opened and if I'm not too wasted already.

I'm not done yet. I made a slight suggestion to the librarian who kindly took my books that there should be a drop box outside so that people could return books when the library was closed. She said that they couldn't because it would get burnt. That's right, burnt. Apparently, the kids who I guess are not hanging out at the library because it's closed are burning things around the library instead, including drop boxes for the library's books. (Ok, I'll admit that possibly the kids who are burning things are not the same kids who'd be spending their afternoons reading through the reference section.) But it seems to me that there are some ways around this. First, by arresting arsonists. I mean, that's legit, isn't it? Also, put the dropbox slightly inside, similar to ATM machines at banks. Or just cut a hole in a window and put the box totally inside the building. Or something! But we can't have a drop box because the kids will burn it???

Also, it seems to me that this is not a library problem, but a city problem, and a police problem. I think that the library shouldn't be cowed by some stupid hooligans. We should protect our city, and protect our rights to read!

This would be an issue for the famous Modiin Listserv, but as I'm not about to start lobbying at city hall about it, I don't think there is much point in posting there. But this is good fodder for blogging. I'm sure you all are happy to have a break from reading about breastfeeding. Because, you know, soon we'll be starting on poop.

It's not like I'm not familiar with the Israeli library system and all it's faults and it's few good points. I am - I studied Library Science for 3 years. (I could swear the librarians here were in my classes....if only I had let them copy my notes!) I know these things. I know they have no funding and have to seriously pick and choose. Once upon a time, I wanted to make it better. Give people the gift of information. Seems to me it might be a lost cause, it's each man for himself around here. I'll stick with the books I can buy and borrow from good friends and family. Whose opening hours are a little more friendly.