When it comes to my own reading, I find that I’m not a big user of the library system. Why? Well, when I want to read a particular book, I tend to want it read it right then so that’s where my Kindle becomes the most used device in my household, besides my BlackBerry. I love that you can pretty much hold any library item you want, but the waiting…Oh! The waiting drives me nuts. Especially for the most coveted titles. I mean, how can you plan your reading schedule when you are number 210 on a wait list?
Since I work for a university, I hit its library most often since it’s just a quick trot up the stairs. However, our faculty are allowed to check-out titles for a period of TWO years. That’s right. TWO YEARS which basically means that whatever they’ve checked out is never coming back. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a title listed as “on shelf” only for it not to be there.
Yesterday, I remembered that I had to pick-up my book club’s title for next month, A Very Long Engagement. Well, it’s not really a book I want to buy and it’s not a book I want to get on my Kindle either, so I took a chance and hit the university library to see if it was there. Lo and behold, it was and guess what else was there?
Looks a bit steamy, eh?
I’ve been wanting to read this one for ages.
It’s funny how a successful trip to the library can renew all the warm, fuzzy feelings you once felt for it. I go all the time for the kids, but it’s nice to actually find something for myself and it didn’t even cost me a dime. Gotta love that.
Book Chatter 
I never had a problem finding titles that I wanted to read right away when I went to the library and I never put books on hold that had more than maybe 10 people ahead of me so I was always happy to find things that really tripped my trigger. Sadly, I am incapable to getting books back on time and had to give up the library!
The pressure to read them by the due date is another reason why I usually buy books over checking them out. I do end up renewing them online a lot if they haven’t been held by someone.
I suffer from the same impatience as you when it comes to new releases but I have been rather fortunate with getting new titles from my library.
I’ve seen the movie for A Very Long Engagement and it’s good — I’ll have to check out the book as well.
TWO YEARS?! That’s madness! Haha! I use the Beverly Hills Public library the most because it is small enough to not be overwhelming, its clean (which is a feat here in L.A., as you know) and they actually have a fantastic collection. I do utilize it quite a bit actually. I hope this is the start of some good luck in the library area for you!
I rarely use the library either. It’s not only the waiting that gets me. The book doesn’t always come at a convenient time and then they want it back in two weeks. I hope you enjoy your books!
I can’t allow myself to buy a kindle for that very reason – I’d be forever thinking ‘oooooh, must have!’ and buying spur of the moment books. Plus, I am spoiled by having a really fantastic library down the road – and hardly ever have to wait too long, even for new books. Very lucky!
Also….Kindle’s are convenient but oooooo what about the smell of a real-life book. Rather than being trigger happy on the kindle, my obsession is more costly as I MUST have the real thing on my shelf now….making me quite trigger happy on the ol’ Amazon next day delivery button :-O Would like to hear how the Very Long Engagement pans out, the film is beautiful and I didn’t realise it was a book. Would be great to hear if it is worth reading.
It’s like going shopping not expecting to find anything and you find the best tunic or top or bag…Happy Reading…
I’m totally blown away by the 2 year loaning period….honestly, that’s crazy!! I’m glad that you found the one you were looking for and then the bonus surprise!! 😀
Like previous commenter Wallace, I love the Beverly Hills library–very clean and an amazing children’s section and children’s programs. But I also have a little branch within walking distance, which the kids and I visit occasionally. I should use it more, though!!!
I never use the library – like you, I can’t stand waiting for the one I want to come in. So, I usually just buy it at the bookstore or get it on my Kindle. I’m glad you lucked out and were able to get that Waters book. By the by, I saw the film version of A Very Long Engagment and it was okay – I mainly saw it because of the director and Audrey Tatou. Anyhow, hope you enjoy your reads 😉
Using the college library is a great convenience, but the NEW book collection, although good, just does not compare to what I a request through out State regional system.
Congrats on your finds Ti. You must have been so surprised!
Two years!? That doesn’t seem right at all! Glad you had a good trip. I actually have similar feelings. I want the book to be available to me RIGHT when I want to read it.
LITTLE STRANGER is fantastic! I really hope you enjoy it. 🙂
A Very Long Engagement – I remember going and seeing it in the theater quite a few years ago. It was pretty sad if I remember correctly, so be prepared for that!
I have a love/hate relationship with my library. I use it often because I can’t spend a lot of money on books, but frustrates me when they don’t have what I need. They very often don’t own what I want, so I need to interlibrary loan it. I can go with a list of books and will be lucky to find one on the shelf. It has gotten better since I can go online and see what is on the shelf before I actually go there.
You nailed my sentiments exactly! Any new book coming in with any amount of buzz circulating and I am always in the 200 and 300’s on the wait list. I have no patience and I hate having to work my reading schedule around those long waits. In fact, people can start putting holds on books before the books even arrive on the shelves here! Madness I say!
(2 years? bye-bye book!)
I’m thinking about listening to a Very Long Engagement this week but haven’t decided yet (after seeing it on your BC list last month).
I can’t believe the two year check out rule…. crazy!
i tend to go in cycles borrowing books from the library. while i always borrow audio books, i only borrow traditional books every month or so because i tend to take out too many and never get to read them all. right now i’m on a wait list for 3 new memoirs that i blogged about in january. can’t wait to get my paws on them. as for a two year rule, that’s absurd! it’s a wonder there are any books left in the library. hee hee.
ahhh. those steamy covers. Hope you enjoy The Little Stranger, I read it didn’t like it much but I think I am going to try Nightwatch next. 😉
I go often for/with my kids, but, like you, don’t often have good luck myself. It’s the patience/impatience factor for me.
Two years is excessive! Unless there’s some way to vet that a book is being used for academic research, why are the loan periods so long!?
Well, glad you had such good luck this time – treasure in the library! Enjoy …
Faculty have a lot of pull, which is the case at most universities. They can justify anything and are rarely challenged. I just don’t like that it affects my reading. How dare they!