Personal experience: what is a library in America

I do not know how you feel about libraries, but I very much disliked their entire adult life. Half-dark halls, smelling of perennial dust, unkind employees on low wages. Even 5 university years could not change my attitude. And then we moved to New York.

Brooklyn Library. Photos from the personal archive

Once the children came from school a little later than usual. It turned out, after class, jumped into the library. Enrolled themselves and took the first books.

The Brooklyn Library also has books in Russian. Photos from the personal archive

“Mom, this is very interesting - classmates often go there after classes and stay for a couple of hours,” they said. Interesting? In library? Come on! 21st century - we have all been reading from electronic devices for a long time, and any book can be downloaded or bought on the Internet. But I still decided to keep the children company, and we went to Brooklyn Public Library.

True, first we Online ordered reader tickets, and then went to the library itself to activate them. If you don't know English, it doesn't matter. You can register on the library website and read the terms of membership in Russian.

The further system is also very different from the one to which we are accustomed. Having chosen a book, you yourself scan its barcode and library card code, and the machine issues a coupon indicating the date when to return it. The scanner knows several languages. If you don't mess with the deadlines, everything is free. If you sin, there is a penalty.

The scanner knows several languages. Photos from the personal archive

The first time, I remember, we took something completely unnecessary - some collection of Italian cooking and CDs with an audiobook of an unknown New York Times bestseller. They studied cooking from pictures, but didn’t even open the discs. Because that same evening it suddenly turned out that the Brooklyn Public Library had an excellent application, through which you can take electronic versions of different editions and audiobooks in good performance.

New arrivals to the library occur daily and, for example, “Harry Potter and the damned child” appeared there a couple of days after the sites Pottermore и Amazon. This is for clarity.

The application is also convenient because after the expiration date, the books themselves disappear from your device - and there are no penalties for forgetting. Through the application you can also extend the time you use the materials you like.

Amazing finds on library shelves. Photos from the personal archive

Why our children are so drawn to the library, we realized when we went to one of the BPL branches during the summer holidays and saw a lot of people of different ages. Someone participated in collective classes, someone sat alone. If you go to the library website, it becomes clear how much different interesting meetings they organize.

In addition to books and CDs, various courses and consultations are offered here. Photos from the personal archive

There are readings of Pulitzer laureates, musical evenings, and exhibitions. And here are free English courses. To get to them, you need to follow the updates on Online. After weaning another group, in the BPL listen to new comers and immediately open the following courses.

To get to the English courses, you need to follow the updates on the site and on time to register for classes. Photos from the personal archive

At some branches of the Brooklyn Public Library you can get a New Yorker ID, and if you are a US citizen, you can order a new passport. And in some - get a job! Job openings at the Brooklyn Library are a different story. My favorite find is reading fairy tales in my native language. A couple of weeks ago we were looking for a Russian speaker. So, yes, look at the section BPL Career Opportunities. By the way, in the library you will be taught how to write resumes correctly and even advise how to look for work.

Brooklyn Library Network was approved by New York State Law 1 May 1892. In the period between 1901 and 1923, Andrew Carnegie, a millionaire and philanthropist, donated $ 1,6 million to the development of the 21 branch.

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