A warrant for your arrest

I’m worried that the library system here in Nashville is going to organize a police force and come arrest me.

Seriously.

I mean, really, I think libraries and I have a love hate relationship. Most of the love is on my part; most of the hate is on theirs. But really, there’s a lot of reasons libraries should love me. I mean libraries are like happy, holy places for me. This is where the books live! Libraries even smell like books—paper, ink, worn leather, and just a touch of mustiness. I’m the person who smiles happily as she wanders down the aisles, greeting books like old friends with a carress and getting excited about new acquaintances and writers I’ve never read before. If anything, a library is a place where I fit. I’m a kindred spirit. I love books as much as the librarians love the books.

But then there’s that thing they hate about me: I’m terrible at getting my books back on time.

It’s not like I plan to be late in returning the books. It’s that I just forget or get busy or have to make special trips to return the books. It’s just that I’ll intend to take them back after work, but then work is over and I’m tired and I find myself at home with the books to return still in my car. Sigh.

I mean at this point, these books are almost 2 months overdue. I understand why the library hates me. I get it. I don’t even want to think about the fine.

I mean, is there a cut-off point? Can they just go on charging you the 10 cents or whatever for every day until you have a $200 fine? I don’t think so. . . and certainly hope not!

But, Nashville Library, there is a plan. A plan to return your overdue books today. I may even do it in person so I can pay my fine and get it over with.

Maybe.

Or I may just sneak around to the book drop on the side of the building and sneak away in embarrassed anonymity.

Photo credit: Liam Quin, “Pictures of Old Books” (2003). http://fromoldbooks.org/r/2/Books02-619×685.jpg