Between the Bookshelves

I look a bit silly carrying a heavy bag, smothered by a thick winter jacket, hauling a stack of books to the counter. But when I first came here, I asked the librarian, “How many books can I check out at a time?” and she said, “As many as you can carry.” Rookie mistake.

Now, a library book travels with me wherever I go, a steady source of adventure during slow lines and long bus rides. The books, however, are only one of the reasons that I keep returning to the library.

When I was new to British Columbia, I was searching for community. A new city can be lonely without people you regularly spend time with. After a bunch of Googling, I learned that many libraries host book clubs. Soon, the second Saturday of each month was spent at the library, chatting with readers from different walks of life over homemade treats and cups of tea. The books were almost secondary for me. I came here for the warmth, the camaraderie, and the brief pockets of time our lives crossed paths.

More recently, I’ve begun to use the library the way a student probably should– to study. My friend and I go to the library every other weekend, look for tables near the charging points, and settle into the comfortable chairs, our open books and blinking cursors awaiting us. Despite the many breaks we take to snack, chitchat and wander aimlessly around – but probably because of it- , I find myself making more progress in the few hours spent at the library than I do all day at home.

I like that there’s a library at every corner, each offering a unique ambience and collection of works. For instance, the Central Library has rows of shelves dedicated to career options for BC residents, and a special set of resources for newcomers. The librarians can also customize recommendation lists for you based on your reading preferences. These are only the services I have availed of, but there are many more – drop-in resume clinics, queer book clubs, and ESL practice sessions. For an international student new to BC, I would recommend that when you get your credit card, sim card, and other essentials, get a library card. You will find things you didn’t know you were looking for. Books are just one thing on that list.