Jan 24 2008
The library, it’s not just about books anymore
I’m sure this is old news to regular patrons of the local library, but for the rest of us who normally get our reading material from the likes of Borders and Barnes & Noble, you’d be surprised to see just how much the Hawaii public library system has changed. It’s been years since I last darkened the doorway of a library. (Remember those card files using the Dewey Decimal System? Yeah.) But, let me preface this by saying that this has nothing to do with books.
Today’s mission was to find a Frank Delima DVD for a project at work. (Don’t ask.) Arnold, the library enthusiast did a search using their online catalog and found that the Salt Lake library was the only one with the DVD I needed, in stock. So, off to the library I went.
When I walked in to the library, it felt distant yet familiar. The morgue-like silence, the cool, completely dehumidified air, people speaking in hushed tones, the rustling of pages… I wanted to stay here forever. I think missed my calling. I should have been a librarian. But that’s totally off the topic here.
What I found was a treasure trove of DVD’s. It almost made me take my Blockbuster card out of my wallet and kick it to the curb: new releases, old classics, and *drum roll please* a martial arts section that would put Blockbuster to shame. (Seriously, Blockbuster, you call that a martial arts section? Talk about lame.)
Sure, I knew the library had DVD’s for rent, but I thought they only had a limited (and lame) selection of stuff that I’d never want to watch, even at the bargain rental cost of $1 for a 7-day rental. Boy, was I wrong. Apparently, in addition to the great selection of other film genres, martial arts is a specialty of the Salt Lake Library’s DVD section. I didn’t have time to browse, but I did notice that they even had a four-part instructional series on Shotokan karate, which is the art that I practice.
And, Bae Yong Joon fans, you are not to be left out. According to Arnold, who is the compendium of information, the McCully library specializes in Korean dramas.
So, dust off that library card and check it out. You might be surprised at what you find at your local public library.
A 30-something Christian girl, blissfully wedded to her perfect match (the yang to her yin) of 14 years. A new mom to her miracle baby, born on October 4, 2008. Living life in Hawaii, less than 5 miles from her hometown, a slave to her mortgage payment, but seeking balance in her pursuit of family, faith, recreation, and rest.
I thought I read you studied Kajukenbo? (Don’t worry, I didn’t read all your archives…that would be creepy, but Kajukenbo caught my eye because I studied it for 2.5 years. 2nd degree purple belt!)
But does the library carry Shaw Brothers movies?
@Rich: I took a number of different martial arts including Kajukenbo, Okinawan kenpo, Chinese Kempo, Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu, and Keichu-Do (cajun karate). I did a lesson each of Judo and Aikido, but discovered quickly that I don’t like grappling and tumbling. I’ve stuck with Shotokan Karate the longest, I am currently a 2nd degree purple, too.
However, I don’t think I’ll be testing for brown belt anytime soon since I won’t be able to train for a while.
@Rod: Good question! Next time I go, I’ll check it out!