Now, this next part may not SEEM to be related to my semi-addiction to Private Practice, but keep reading, and you'll see how it is. Here goes: I have been diligent about staying on top of my library checkouts and due dates. I haven't had an overdue book since January, and I am feeling totally happy and proud of myself for keeping my bargain with myself to not have any overdue books. I just looked up my goals for this year, and technically my goal was to not have any library fines. And I don't. But I will have an overdue book if I don't do something drastic; I won't have a fine, however.
All right, now I will digress. I heard an NPR report about a book called "Grow Your Own Drugs," by James Wong. Wong had a series in Great Britain about using herbs from your backyard to make folk remedies to help with all sorts of health and other issues. Now he has a book out with many recipes and information on herbs and healing. The book came out last year. It sounded wonderful, and I totally wanted to read it. I am in the habit of checking a book out of the library before purchasing it, so that I am able to make sure it's something I need to own and that's worth my money. In this case, it's not a book I may buy used, since it's new, and I knew I would want to look at it before I could make a decision. I went to the local library's website, but the book wasn't even ordered. Sheesh! Then I went to the website for the library system in the county where I used to live, one library of which I visited often when Silas and I had our Wednesday visits when he lived with his dad. My card is still active there, and it's legal for me to have one. It's within walking distance of the Edmonds ferry. Lo and behold, they had a copy in their system! I put it on hold, and waited for it to turn up at the Edmonds library.
Thankfully, my son Zach lives not far from that branch, and said he would pick up the book if I needed him to do so. On the last day before the book was to go back on the shelves, Zach went over to the library to check it out for me. Unfortunately, the power was out when he got to the library. Fortunately, the librarian was happy to take down my number and allowed Zach to take out the book. (He said, "I felt like a pot-head, needing to take out a book called Grow Your Own Drugs!") Zach brought the book over to me the following week, and it was beautiful and informative. It is a book I would like to own, and I probably will, before too long. It is due tomorrow, and I haven't had the time to make any of the recipes, even though I am coming down with a cold. Keep reading for the moral dilemma.
The library system from which I (er, Zach) borrowed the book has a fabulous policy with regard to overdue books. They don't have fines! If you have an overdue book they put a hold on your card after a couple weeks, and if you don't bring the book back they make you pay for it before you can check out books again. Or simply bring it back. Isn't that a great policy??
My book is due tomorrow, and I am not sure I will be able to get it back to the library. It takes a ride to Kingston (40 minutes), parking, a ferry trip to Edmonds, (30 minutes), a walk up the hill (20 minutes), a walk down the hill (20 minutes), ferry back (30 minutes), ride home (40 minutes), and any wait time for ferry, along with weather considerations. And parking fee and ferry fee. That's a lot. Or I could wait until Zach comes for a visit and he can drop it off when he gets back to his side of the water. This will probably be in the next couple weeks. Remember, there's actually no penalty for returning the book late.
So, here's the dilemma. Am I bound by my personal goal and integrity to return the book on time?? Or, since I can't renew it because someone else is waiting for it, am I bound to return it and get it back to the library for that other person to check it out? (Note: It's the only copy in the system.) (Another note: You all can guess that I am often waiting for someone to return a book so that I can check it out. And I get really irritated when people keep their books past their due dates. This is actually happening with a book I am waiting for. I hope that person pays their whopping fine!)
Feedback welcome and appreciated. Though I think I have actually made my decision.
4 comments:
hehehe I would have to say you found a loop hole in maintaining your goal. Keep the book till you are done and when you have the time take it back.
This is just the sort of wrestle I'd have over this while some other family member was saying, "Give me a break- this is not a big deal!" Normally, I'd say it's totally not worth that trip. However, with somebody waiting for it... that might sway me. And, in all honesty, writing that post would've made me decide to do it. My journal often helps me figure out what I really think. Good luck deciding! Make sure to let us know. :)
Keep the book, then purchase a copy from Amazon online, and mail it to the library as a donation.
BTW, my friend checked out some book about Hitler, and the librarian told her they make a note of who has checked out subversive books. They give a report to someone. Creepy.
I can't counsel you on your dilema except to keep it and use it until Zak comes over to pick it up.
I put a hold on a great book called, The Kitchen Gardner. However I have never gotten the book. When I talked to the librarian she said it was in a box in Coupeville stored. The library there was being remodled. So still no book. They said on-line that they have ordered a new copy.
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