Favorite thing #12: My Public Library.

I love my public library. A lot. Don't you?

Seriously. I realize that for some, this might be far too much enthusiasm for one's public library, but over the years, I have really come to appreciate ours. Its the best $12 I spend every year. Not only am I injecting money (albeit a small amount) into the library, but I also feel that it supports our community as a whole.

Our library is located directly across the street in our mall. We go there a lot. At least weekly, and often I'm running in to pick up or drop off books a few times per week. A lot of residents are pushing for the library to be located in a separate building, one that isn't limited to mall hours, but I can't imagine I will use it nearly as much if its not as close. I love that my library is less than a 5 minute walk away.

Growing up in Nanaimo, I rarely used the library. It is in a really odd location, nowhere close to where I used to go, and as such, I never used it. Which really is a shame, as I'm sure that library has a lot to offer, but the Edmonton Public Library really is ahead of the game. For the last three weeks we have had an eReader in our possession...from the library. Like how cool is that? It was an awesome way to try it out and decide if it is something we would like to purchase (which we would, but I'm thinking we're Kobo people, although the Sony eReader was nice to use).

It is a wonderful way to keep the children's book variety fresh and new around here. We recently had a friend recommend the book, Matthew and the Midnight Tow Truck. After reading our Christmas letter, she said that Gabe reminded her so much of her son when he was little (always toting cars & trucks around). So we reserved it from the library, and voila, within days we had the book in our hot little hands. A super cute read, and likely a classic around the Nepper household. It also prompted the introduction between licorice and our kids (also a hit).
I have also been loving all the music I can discover through the local library. I have been working my way through bands lately, so I'll place a hold on every CD they've ever made and then for about a week I'll get to know all of their music. I used to love my classes at the downtown MacEwan campus, because I'd end up driving about 30 minutes each way, and could work my way through an entire CD in just one night.

I have also been working my way through various genres, and I pick out CDs, generally based on the cover art (take note all you musicians, cool cover art is key). I have made some wonderful musical discoveries this way. A few weeks ago, I picked up this CD by the Magnolia Sisters (a fairly fantastic cover image if you ask me). I was surprised when they started singing in French (nothing on the cover indicated it would be French). But I must say, this is loveliest French music I have ever heard. Think some good old Cajun folk music. Its fantastic.

The best part was that Abbi was enjoying it too, which I thought would be nice to have some French music we could both enjoy. When I was reading the insert, I discovered the first song, "A Boire, a Boire" is actually "Lets Drink, Lets Drink." Apparently before the Acadians were "sent" on their way to Louisiana, they made a point to have one last round before they left. While historical in nature, its perhaps not the most wholesome music for my 5 year old. Hah.
Another favorite discovery of late is Basia Bulat. Again, it was all thanks to the picture on the cover of this CD, Oh My Darling. She just looks like a cool chick who I might like to sit down to a cup of tea with. Her music is fantastic. I was also able to place a hold on her other CD, Heart of My Own. Another new favorite.
With our library you can also do inter-library loans throughout all of Alberta (eg. if your location doesn't have an item, you can see if other libraries in the Province might have it). Or you can put in a request to you local branch to purchase a new item. Its a bit of a process (Title, Author, ISBN, why they should get it, your name, etc, etc), but well worth it.

In keeping with our documentary theme, we recently watched Cry Freedom, a film about apartheid in South Africa. The film is based on the story of Steve Biko, the leader of the Black Consciousness movement who was ultimately murdered for his beliefs of equality. It was a powerful film. There was also a book written based on Steve Biko's life, called Biko. Which is currently sitting on my nightstand thanks to EPL.
Another book that had interested me was Through the Glass, about a woman whose husband committed sexual assault on two women, just one month after they had been married. I had originally been introduced to this book through a Restorative Justice conference, as she really helps to present the effects on the family of the accused. That in a lot of ways, they are also victims, not necessarily in a physical sense, but through social perceptions ("you must have known") and media. It looks like its going to be a good read.

There you have it folks. Visit your local library. Buy a card. Just do it!