A License to Borrow

Do you remember getting your first library card?

It’s such a milestone in a kid’s life.

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When I was in the third grade, my mother gave me permission to hop on the bus (all by myself! đŸ˜‰ ) and go to our local library. You can see the building on this old post card.

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It was here that I applied for my first library card. I remember standing wide-eyed at the librarian’s desk while she filled out all the forms in an elegant flowing script. When she was finished and finally handed that little card to me, I felt so grown up!

Recently, I was reminded of all of this, when I read a delightful article about a boy named Cory, who has been collecting library cards ever since he was 6 years old. He’s 15 now, and has accumulated over 3000 library cards from all 50 states and 74 countries!

On his website, you’ll find his story and pictures of his collection. It’s still a work in progress, as scanning the cards is time consuming, but there’s lots to see!

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The cards are listed by state and they’re just amazing! I couldn’t believe the variety within each state. Some are plain; some are fancy. Others are high tech, and still others are old-fashioned. This collection is a wonderful slice of Americana.

You can visit Cory’s website by clicking here. When you get there, click on the “Table of Contents” to view cards from Northern California, Southern California and the Western United States!

I think youll be charmed!

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Comments

A License to Borrow — 6 Comments

  1. In the past, over the years I have been an avid reader. When I was young, I remember sitting on the front porch reading. I remember MANY trips to the library. It was a wonderful place in a huge, huge old building. Very elaborate, built probably in the late 1800’s.

    When I was first married, my husband used to be a little miffed because I would read while he watched TV, yet I still knew what was going on with what was on the tube.

    I don’t read novels much anymore. I just don’t have the time. It seems that my free time is spent with some project that keeps my hands busy.

    I don’t miss the novels much, but with my history of reading, I am sure at some time in the future, I will find my nose in many books.

  2. I love the library. I took my kids when they were little and now I take my grand kids. I also take out movies, and get free museum tickets! love it,

  3. I *loved* the library as a kid! It was so much fun to find new books to read – but I scared the librarian because I was checking out adult books by the age of 10. I was a bit advanced in terms or reading abilities as a kid. Most likely offset by social awkwardness. Or maybe that’s every kid. Who knows?

    Cory definitely has an interesting collection – I can’t wait till I can compare older designs with newer ones. I know my library card now has all sorts of pretty graphics, and is much more than *just* a library card.

  4. I too, felt grownup getting my first library card. It was close enough to walk to when I was little and me and my mom and sometimes my brother would walk on a saturday,and I would think about what kind of books I wanted to check out the night before. It was such a thrill for me! thanks

  5. My 5 yr old daughter got her first library card recently. I love her autograph on the back…

    Your mom letting you take the bus in grade 3 — boy times have changed, huh? I remember biking blocks away when I was 5 years old, but I don’t even let my daughter in the front yard unsupervised!

    What an interesting idea for a collection! It sure beat bumper stickers!

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