My library is first rate. We don't have all the latest books, mind you. In fact, we don't have a lot of books. And there aren't any computers that tell you exactly where to find the latest Harry Potter book (although there are ones for the internet). You have to actually know the Dewey Decimal System, at least enough to fake it. Even if you can't, most of the librarians are helpful, except one lady that always seems like she's been doing the job a little too long.

We have a nice selection of movies. And they are not all the government sanctioned choices that are suitable for everyone in the family. We have Monster's Ball, Brokeback Mountain, and other films sure to put right-wing nutters in a tizzy. We also have a great selection of music CDs. I've never actually listened to Tonic, but their CD stares at me every week. I think I'd miss it if anyone actually checked it out.

There's also a great section of audio books. We have a lot of elderly people, and sometimes the reading is just too much for their eyes. The young adult section is good, and today they had a comic I was looking for. In the past, I managed to find a favorite book from my childhood there. And their children's section is to die for. It takes up almost half the building, and there are little reading nooks for kids to curl up on a cushion with a book.

My library has parties on occasion. Last week they showed Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest. All the librarians dressed as pirates and they auctioned off gently used pirate toys to the kids who came. I didn't get to make it, but it sounded like a lot of fun.

But none of this is what makes the library top-notch. What makes it the best is the small town atmosphere. I couldn't find my library card one time. Where the nearby big city library will read you the riot act as if you lost the Magna Carta, my library knows me, and they take care of it. When I tried to find the comic today, I actually expected it to be in novel form, in fiction. I asked, and they pointed me to the right area. A few weeks ago I asked about a novel. They took down my name, and today, I found it with the new books. They may not have the latest books, but they can and do get them. Because of the size of the children's area, there are always a lot of kids, and they are quite understanding if kids use their normal voice, instead of a whisper. There is also a reference section, but it isn't the typical reference section. There are no dictionaries or encyclopedias. There are local historical books. I have found out more about my building from the library than I did from the title abstract. I know that there used to be a theatre somewhere on that side of the town square. My building is the only one that is big enough, and I've seen the old staircase that leads to where it used to be. Someday, I will finish building my apartment there, and live in what used to be a theatre.

The library seems to be a metaphor for the town where it is located. The library my husband visits most is modern, deathly quiet, smells of urine, and is rarely visited. Mine is amusing, rambunctious, and a little behind the times, but familiar. It's not for everyone. Thank goodness for that.