Deep Thinking

Today I had the privilege of spending 3 hours at a driver’s license station in Lebanon, TN while son #2 tested to earn his permit (100% accuracy, you go son!). Three wasted hours. Not enough seats. Nothing to look at. Nothing to read but the motorcycle, commerical vehicle and the regular license booklet in Spanish. I protested this so they came out with some of the regular booklets in English so I could make son study. I think I threatened doom & gloom if he failed and I had to stand in that line again. He did take the time to restudy his US Army booklet on everything he needed to know before leaving for basic training Sunday.

People were propped along every wall and vertical surface, outside along the sidewalk rails, under the trees, throughout the lawn, etc. There was no parking and we walked from 2 blocks away for the privilege of waiting. While I stood for 2.75 hours trying to read the book I brought, I just kept thinking to myself “the public library needs to be next to this building” so all these people waiting could have silent pagers like all restaurants have and be reading. The missed opportunities here! People were passing along pages of a newspaper and dividing up magazines to share. At no time did we have less than 45 people in line in a TINY building. (I know because the marquee kept announcing how many were in line.) Some people there had already waited in Nashville, but left those lines to come join mine because the line in Nashville was for 5-6 hours. Unbelievable. I only spent fifteen minutes sitting down but while I did everyone around engaged in conversation. Their degree of boredom was extreme and everyone said the same thing, “I had no idea the wait would be this bad.”

Upon reflection, I knew there was the potential for long waits or they wouldn’t have numbers. I carried a book for myself and the army manual for son. Why didn’t others plan ahead? When people fly, they bring books to read. They anticipate and plan for a quiet activity to occupy their time. I have sat in airports and counted the number of people reading be it book, magazine, emails on their laptops, etc. Ask anyone not reading and they’ll show you the reading materials they brought. They anticipated, planned, and actually carried through with their plan.

If we want to be perceived as essential, we should plan to be located closer to the demand not far, far away in our solitary splendor. Mini-bookmobiles? More displays courtesy of our libraries? Start paying attention throughout your community and look for opportunities. Could you drop off extra book titles that are ready to go to the library book sale at a laundramat reminding people that “If you enjoyed this, check out the huge selection at your public library.” All members of society are trapped in rooms like the driver’s stations throughout the country. So many hands needing books, so little time.