From: Itsillustration at aol.com <Itsillustration>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 17:09:02 EDT

As I visit classrooms I URGE teachers to take students to their local public libraries for children to get library cards. It is AMAZING to me to see how many children do NOT have cards.

Take a trip to a NYC bookstore and you'll be amazed! Teachers frequently take students on "field trips" to B&N. As a bookseller, I don't know how often I get asked the question: "Where do I check this out?" or "Where do I get a library card?" "Umm... It's a bookstore ... these books are for sale" is how I usually respond. When I suggest that kids try going to a library instead of paying 20 dollars for a book that they'll look at once for a book report, they just look miffed. Even when a parent tells me that they can't afford to buy a book in hardcover, and I suggest a library, I still get that same puzzled look. Sadly, in NYC, I think the bookstore has replaced the library! It's a shame because bookstores don't keep ANY book for more than a few months and the science and history sections are almost nonexistent.

meghan
Received on Wed 13 Oct 2004 04:09:02 PM CDT