It’s your library.
Five things about the Clinton Hill Library that this degreed librarian didn’t know until she became a regular patron with The Scamp:
- You can check out magazines! If you’re not a magazine junkie like me, then you might not understand why this is a big deal. But it helps me tremendously to know that if I need to get my junk fix — fashion magazines being a particular weakness — I don’t have to lay out any of my ducats to do so.
- The children’s section includes Spanish and French titles. The selection of Spanish and English/Spanish titles is far more developed than the French ones, but The Scamp will tolerate my French babble if it’s Qui Mange Quoi? or one of the Barbapapa series. He also really digs the Spanish/English Dear Zoo.
- Actually, it doesn’t matter what’s on the shelves — thanks to the magic of ILL. I don’t know why it took me so long to discover how efficiently you can now reserve books in BPL system online and have them show up at your local branch within days, but I now do this all the time. It has made up (somewhat) for the lack of a large general-interest bookstore in the neighborhood, and it has stopped me from impulse buying on Amazon. While I do wish the permanent collection was a little more interesting or at least well-equipped, I’m kept pretty happy with this hold/request service. (Even though I’ve been waiting for Pattie Boyd’s Wonderful Tonight for 2 months.)
- The meeting room is available for private events. A local grandmother I know hosted a birthday party for her 2-year-old grandson there, which I didn’t even realize was an option. Apparently there’s even karaoke!
- There’s a Friends group. Maybe. Word is that only pre-approved media outlets can discuss the existence and meetings of Friends groups, even though the fact that one exists is all over the branch’s website. If you want to get in on the action, I’d recommend asking the librarian about it or contacting the Office of Friends & Volunteer Services.
A bonus tidbit: According to the NY Times, our humble branch might be headed for a makeover.