Bibliophile? Me?

So, I finally made my Auckland City Libraries account yesterday.

I discovered the Central City Library a few days ago and went in, but couldn't open an account because I had no proof of address. I finally got my electricity bill (joy), so I finally can prove I'm not just taking a day trip.

On that first day, I immediately fell in love with the library. It's about 12 steps from my school, so that's convenient, and it features three floors of beauty. The entrance floor includes fiction, children's, and other such collections, as well as a cafe, many magazine racks (of course they have Time), and a huge DVD collection. Venture upstairs for nonfiction, including self-help books, cookbooks, language books... etc., a vast CD collection, and SHEET MUSIC FOR BORROW. Also, computers line both floors and internet use is free (though to bring your own laptop and use their wifi is $10 NZD/hour!!! Which is out of control!). The top floor is the reference floor, which is chock-a-block full of Maori collections, local history, genealogy (whakapapa, in Maori) resources, etc. SO COOL. I was gushing to Jane Cain and she told me most good libraries have such a floor, but I haven't experienced it, and I think it's pretty damn cool.

So anyway, I scoped out the building when I first came upon it, so yesterday I went for the sole purpose of utilizing it.

I presented the volunteer with my passport, photo ID and proof of address.

"Are you studying here for a year, then?" He asked, in his Kiwi accent.

"No, only a semester."

"Oh..." he said, in a disheartening way. He asked to see my student visa, so I flipped to that holographic page in my passport.

"January, then?" He asked.

"Uh, yes," I said, even though I'm only here until November.

"That's good; an account just has to be for a six-month minimum." He passed me the paperwork, I filled it out, and he handed me my shiny new library card. I got to choose which design I wanted, the old library building or the Sky Tower. I chose the Sky Tower, so I guess I'm not that irrationally obsessed with libraries.

Thank God my visa extends past the time I leave, and thank God I came in as early as I did in my visit here. I would be lost and weird without the public library.

Then, the librarian gave me a spiel on how to use the resources the library has to offer and I must admit, I'm a little miffed.

For one, they charge a 30c/day overdue fee per overdue material. Perhaps I'm spoiled with my home connections to libraries and that's why I never pay fees, but neither the C/W MARS system nor Durick charge fees for books unless they're lost. But, I can deal with that. I'll just have to return things on time. I don't see that as being too problematic, anyway; I plan to use the library a lot.

But moreover, it's $5/week to borrow DVDs! Isn't the nature of a library that you BORROW things, for FREE? CDs are $2/week, audiobooks are $3 for four weeks, and the What's Hot collection, which includes bestsellers, new material, etc. ranges from $2-$5 to borrow for a week. Hmph.

Also, if you have a librarian renew a book, there's a $1 charge. If you request some material someone has out already, there's a $1 charge. If you request a material from another Auckland City Library, there's a $1 charge.

So, humbug! I'm obviously still going to use their services. But... again I'm feeling nickeled and dimed in this country, and again I'm that much more grateful for everything I take for granted at home.

Something I don't have at home, though, is a huge collection of New Zealand fiction. I borrowed this book yesterday called A Short History of Paradise by Kiwi author Norman Bilbrough, which I chose based entirely on its cover art. That it's about tramping hippies in NZ starting a commune and growing a dope forest is just an added bonus.