As you probably remember, Jack and I used to go to the library a LOT. And by “the library”, I mean any one of five libraries, since we pretty much went to a different library for story time or sing-alongs every weekday. And since we were at the library so much, library books had pretty high turnover at our house. Right up until the pandemic, anyway, when all of the libraries shut down and stopped accepting returns.
I have one book and Jack has six or seven, all borrowed in February. My book, unfortunately, wasn’t good enough to finish, so now I’m stuck with a library book I didn’t even like. Out of Jack’s haul, there’s only one he’s not interested in, but I wonder how much he’ll protest if those ever disappear from his shelf. There are a couple we read all the time. Of course, this is assuming we’re ever allowed to return them.
I wonder how many books libraries have out right now. I’m sure they’d rather have them back than have to replace them, but after so many months in everyone’s homes, how many books would need to be replaced anyway? Or can’t be found? I’m willing to bet libraries aren’t going to charge replacement fees.
*I should note that I have been taking a ton of e-books out of the library – I’m certainly not hurting for reading material. I’m just annoyed that the book I got stuck with was so irritating I couldn’t finish it.
Momma Betty
Since we no longer borrow physical books, I hadn’t even thought about this issue until your post. I suppose the libraries could set up a repository somewhere for “viral” books to sit for awhile.