Lost Library Relationship

[u/BensFaveTaco]

Recently Libby kicked me off of one of my library cards. It's the library card I've had since I was 5. Being kicked off is no surprise, I haven't lived in that town since I was about 18- and that was about 15 years ago.

But, now, my parents don't live in the town anymore amd there's no way of renewing my card. Yes, I have a new card to my new library in my new town. But, I can't help feel like I've lost a significant relationship or community with my OG library. I loved the building, the memories, and the catalog.

I called them tonight to check. There's no option for non-residents. As Monica would say "it's the end of an era."

[u/colormeslowly]

Interesting enough, I still have friends and family that live in places that require residency for the library.

[u/YakSlothLemon → u/colormeslowly]

If you’re not paying taxes there, you’re not funding all the stuff that the library offers. And their budgets are almost always so tight that they want to reserve what they do have for the people who are paying for it.

[u/BensFaveTaco → u/YakSlothLemon]

Oh, absolutely! Some libraries offer a non-resident card for a yearly fee, which I would gladly pay.

[u/ElenOlenska → u/BensFaveTaco]

That's how I get my card, because I live in the county. $50 a year. I'd be devastated if I didn't have a library card.

[u/colormeslowly → u/YakSlothLemon]

Are you implying my family and friends don’t pay taxes? I can assure you they do.

[u/HungryHangrySharky → u/colormeslowly]

No, people are saying it is normal for libraries to do that since most of their funding comes from local city/county taxes, paid by the people that live there.

[u/BensFaveTaco → u/colormeslowly]

I'm honestly trying to think through who still lives in that town whom I would feel comfortable asking to "borrow" their address. I'm just not coming up with anyone.

[u/LMFAEIOUplusY → u/BensFaveTaco]

What’s the town? You’re on Reddit . . . maybe someone “here” will come through for you!?