Renewing Your Library Card

Monday Morning Match is a quick post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.

I went to my public library over the weekend. I was looking for some books on a topic I am building a presentation for.  After using the available computers to search the catalog of the hundreds of thousands of books under the roof, I was directed to a specific location among the stacks of non-fiction books.

I found a few of the titles I was looking for but, as I stood there with my head slightly askew, reading the horizontal titles of each book shelved vertically, I started adding a few more selections to my pile. Some I pulled from the shelf and glanced at the cover, a few that I read the jacket and others that I flipped through just to get an idea of the author’s style – short chapters, graphics, lists, etc.

I then found myself wandering the rows and looking for anything that caught my eye. I got another idea in my head after seeing a section on a different subject and it led me back to the computer where I entered another query.

While I left with only 4 books under my arm, I spent almost 90 minutes walking up and down the shelves of this facility. I wondered how many of those books have never been checked out even once, while others were never on the shelves too long. They were perpetually on the waiting list as other residents were hoping for their chance to read the hot new best seller.

The best part of the trip? My total cost for my time, research and takeaways.

Free.

My parents, and librarians along the way, taught me about the space between words; about the margins, where so many juicy moments of life and spirit and friendship could be found. In a library, you could find miracles and truth and you might find something that would make you laugh so hard that you get shushed, in the friendliest way.

– Anne Lamont

It’s Time to Renew Your Library Card for 2015

Where will you turn for help on those challenging subjects you’re sure to face or to research something you need to know more about? Will you take advantage of the people or places in your local hometowns or perhaps just a click away through a technology device? How can you leverage the years of information, knowledge, inspiration and entertainment found within the memories and experiences of the people you call your broker, co-workers, peers and mentors or family members?

Are you a voracious reader? Or do you prefer to learn by listening or watching someone show you how to do something? Is your first instinct when faced with something you don’t understand to Google or YouTube it? Or are you like most adult learners who find that you understand things better when you actually do something?

“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember;

involve me and I’ll understand.”

– Chinese Proverb

I’m headed out-of-town for a few days to get face-to-face with some people I would consider “personal librarians.” They might not have all the answers to the questions that I have about real estate, business, leadership, social media and technology, parenting, sports, beer or anything else that comes to mind. In fact, I’m pretty sure they won’t. That’s okay. I know they’ll be as welcoming as your local library without making me sign up for my own card, and just like that librarian you remember from your youth, they will be more than willing to guide me in the right direction.

It’s time to start leveraging the resources of the library and librarians in your own city, community or industry. It will rarely cost you anything except your time. Enjoy your visit and if you’re looking for something good to read, I personally recommend the sections on building relationships, solving problems and having fun.

Photo Credit: Gpoo via Flickr