#Microblog Monday 211: Borrowed Things
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I am a super-user at my library, there several times per week. We read a lot. And usually the books are in great shape. Checking them out from the library saves a lot of space on our bookshelves.
But.
I was on the waiting list for China Rich Girlfriend along with 477 other people. It was finally my turn to get the book, and I picked up the copy from the hold shelf and brought it home. Then I opened it. There was food smeared across a bunch of the pages, and something that looked like the skin of peanuts in most of the seams. I held the book over the rubbish bin and tried to clean it out as best I could as I vomited in my mouth. Why would someone do this to a book?
I tried to read the copy, but the food stains were turning my stomach, and I felt like I had to wash my hands every time I read it. So I purchased a copy (plus the next one in the trilogy). It’s rare to get a book in this state, though it’s the second time it has happened to me this summer.
How are the books at your library?
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14 comments
Oh yuck. That is so upsetting. The books at my library are generally in very good condition but every once in a while we will get one that has food smears or writing in it. My daughters find this scandalous and it just makes me sad.
A few years ago in another part of my state there were bedbugs running rampant through the children’s books which is just about the most horrifying library story ever.
Oops! That’s not good and sure upsetting.
How I wish I was a regular at a library.I usually read on my kindle and I also get free versions on Amazon that I keep reading. But I would not like a book in that stage if I were a library user.
Gross. I haven’t come across that although I am usually getting children’s books. Once in a while there’s a torn page or a crayon mark but that’s understandable. (When I was about 3 I had a brief period where I drew in lots of library books with crayon 😳)
You’d think the person checking the books in would notice gross food.
Oh wow! I have found tea/coffee stains and ink marks, but not actual food. Our library goes through the books when they are returned, and if you have damaged them they fine you and then make a note in the book so that the next person who checks it out doesn’t get fined. I have checked out books from every section. I am there about every other month.
Bleh. I have come across the occasional food/drink stain but nothing like that, thank goodness.
We are using our library more and more: going a couple of times a month for new books, now that my sons are reading more, and able to read more on their own. (It was also one of my goals for this year to buy fewer books, so that’s increased my library use, too.)
I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t been in any library in quite a few years… proximity/convenience being one reason, the rise of big-box bookstores being another, but also because of things like what you described. :p My sister was always a big library user but she stopped going (taking out paper books, at least) after the city newspaper published a story about a bedbug infestation there. Ugh.
I can remember the school librarian taking my Grade 1 class on a tour and emphasizing to us that we should wash our hands before touching a book. I guess they don’t teach that anymore…!
Sadly, I’ve encountered this. It’s rare as usually the books we get are in good condition, but with books that are more desired there’s a tendency to see this happen more.
I equate the destroying book behavior to shopping cart returning behavior: there’s an assumption that because it is free that it’s someone else’s problem. It’s only when there’s some ownership involved (removal of library privileges/fines/installing fees for use) then people tend to take better care of things. In general, public libraries do have this installed given that there is a culture around checking-out materials and being part of that community. But there’s always someone who thinks those rules don’t apply. And often they are the ones to scream the loudest when privileges are revoked.
Sorry you had to deal with this. I can image the librarians were as upset as you when you informed them of the book.
Yuck! I love checking books out from the library. They are generally in great condition, but even still, I usually feel like I should wash my hands after reading. I’m sorry your library book was so disgusting. That’s just downright rude of the person(s) before you!
We’re frequent patrons of the library, but your comments are making me slightly paranoid. Never had the “food in book” experience, thankfully.
Ewwwww, that’s so gross. I don’t understand why people don’t respect that library books are COMMUNAL. I use the library, but I hate when you find food stains, or hair (human or otherwise), or once A BANDAID. It’s nasty. Can you complain to the library about that one and see if they replace books that hit a certain… interior condition? I hope you enjoy the books, sometimes a nice pristine book of your own is just the ticket. The library is amazing, but sometimes if you think too much about where that book’s been it can turn your stomach. And peanut skins??? What if you have an allergy??
Generally good, but there are times when I feel all grimy opening it up. I have to really want to finish the book to keep handling it. I have been known to return a few without reading.
My thing is cigarette smoke. I can’t enjoy reading when the roof of my mouth is itching and my nose is dripping.
That’s gross. Thank goodness you don’t have a peanut allergy! :/
Ugh. I am sure your library will have a budget for replacing damaged books, so I hope you point it out to them.
I use a library regularly, but only really for e-books. They’re in perfect condition every time!