And it was taken to be a sign...

[saffronhare]

The book-reading, resolution-tracking LJ mood of the last couple of days got me all fired up for some scholarship, so I went to the library (Central Branch, near work) over my lunch break. The idea was to see what there was about Kabalah/QBLH (oh...whatever) that I could check out to begin deciding what I wanted to purchase as my reference.

First, there wasn't an empty search station to be found. Anywhere. I mean, several dozen search stations were there (lots more than I remember), but every single one was taken by lazy people on vacation or lunchbreaks or something. Finally, I go into the little kids' section and find one to use...but the login screen informs me that my library card # has expired. Strike One.

I have to go wait in line for a person to verify my address and un-expire my account (I had a $2.85 fine outstanding -- big whoop). I get back to the computer and start looking up things like "Regardie" and "Crowley" and "Golden Dawn" but to no avail. Which is puzzling. Certainly, even if they don't have a copy of either one, it would be listed somewhere in the online or ILL catalog. So then I search for "Adler" -- any library worth its dust will have Drawing Down the Moon, right? Nothing. Strike Two.

Eventually, I realize that the computer in the little kids' section is filtering everything from Margot Adler to Judy Blume. Grr. So I go on a hunt for another computer -- lo! One opens up almost immediately! And the login screen informs me that I have to wait at least 5 minutes between search/computer sessions. Strike Three.

The time that I have allotted myself for library/lunch is gone and I have nothing to show for it. I will now pretend to read a nonprofit journal and take a nap instead.

Comments

Aww Sweetie

[agrnmn.livejournal.com]

You can search the library online from work. http://www.jocolibrary.org/

Re: Aww Sweetie

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

napping and pouting first, then renewed searching

Re: Aww Sweetie

[diermuid.livejournal.com]

I was going to say the same thing, I search, put things on hold, and have them shipped to my local branch for pick-up. But then I use the nice Missouri-side Mid-Continent Public Library system. It's easier to find good books out here... many of the local residents are not as big on reading. (Yeah, low blow, but it also makes computer parts cheaper out here. ;-)

Library nerd strikes again

[zylch.livejournal.com]

If they use Dewey, QBLH is liable to be under the 110s (metaphysics), the 130s (occult/parapsychology), or the upper 290s (Judaism). I don't know the exact numbers offhand, but prefer locating the general area and reading the shelves til I find what I want anyway.

Re: Library nerd strikes again

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

wow.

Re: Library nerd strikes again

[zylch.livejournal.com]

Told ya I was a nerd :-)

Re: Library nerd strikes again

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

It's why I love (philo) you so, dearest Viably. And you're right -- I would have liked to know the approximate location so I could browse a bit. Now I'll know. Thanks!

[kcwitch.livejournal.com]

which book are you looking for? i might have it in my private library. i have a nice lil collection.

[zylch.livejournal.com]

I've only got one (The Essential Kabbalah), and that only because it came in a set with several other books I wanted (Mystical Classics of the World). I've never read it, but the other books are good so it might be worth a shot. It does look like it has decent notes and a suggested further reading list. You're welcome to borrow it if you like -- no worries about fines, anyway ;-)

[kcwitch.livejournal.com]

nope, no Kabbalah here. sorry.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about it. No glitter here. We all have our specialties, darling. :)

[kcwitch.livejournal.com]

i have wiccan cookbooks, family medical books, natural healing books, dream books, pagan parenting books, herbal books, faerie books, the sabbath books, drawing down the moon, spirial dance, and a few others. but no, no kaballah. i keep buying books but i haven't had a chance to read them all yet. i will in time. glitter, yeah, i have glitter. :) i have pointy ears and wings too. :P

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Hooray for diversity!

[kcwitch.livejournal.com]

still i feel like i am lacking...seriously. i have been working, a mom, or a child care provider for so long that i feel less than everyone else because i lack the education that all my friends have. i really should read more.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Honey, I am so far behind lots of our mutual friends. What you and I have is very specialized knowledge -- not usually called upon in our circles most of the time. I'm very pleased that people whom I suspect are frequently smarter than I am choose to hang out/argue with me so frequently. Good thing humans have evolved to keep learning, huh?

[kcwitch.livejournal.com]

true.