Response from a Librarian/Respuesta de una Bibliotecaria

I received the Migratory Book after purchasing artwork of Michelle Wilson's. I looked up her profile and was instantly interested. Libraries are a dying architectural expression and social place. It is strange to see that books will evolve by becoming independent of the building and the place that connected us to them.

By participating in this exercise I came to think about the library check out card and how that connected us to the book, the building and to each other. I Googled it and found others had a romantic memories of it as well... Here is one...."The checkout card was simple and symbolic. To sign the card with my signature was, of course, on the most basic level a way for the library to have accountability; I had taken the book. However, signing one’s name to any document creates a relationship and a commitment.

By signing my name to a library book, I committed myself to some type of relationship with this author and material. Scanning a bar code does not have the same connection. Signing the checkout card could mean an intimate relationship–late nights, rereading passages, and anticipation. At other times, the commit was more platonic, and it could even border on benign neglect. However, the signature on that thin blue line and the rubber stamped date beside it was an inked contract with this book."

Now this blog is the virtual check out card that links us to one another, the author and the place, a place bigger than a building. My memories of the library are old, and sweet. I spent many hours there and checked out books for so many reasons. Assignments, studying, for pleasure and amusement. Sometimes I would just check out a book, because of who else had checked it out, I would always open the book to the back to see who held it last, who held it first. Was I the first that would sign on the thin blue line and have the red date stamped in first, was the spine still stiff will newness or were the pages dog eared. Did the boy I so desperately had a crush on hold it last, what did he love about the book, would that give me a hint into his heart. All silly things, but things that connect us to each person through a place and over time. I hope blogging about a book, will be this next evolution of the library check out card, to connect us.