2088 Keeping Faith

When I got to page 104 of Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult, the February selection for our book club, I had a huge flash back to my working days. There was a security tape glued to the page. I thought of all the security strips I'd inserted in books and journals when my staff got behind and I had to pitch in on the clerical work. It even looked like someone had tried to remove it, but discovered it disintegrated when tugged.

You know what? We don't trust people like you who use public and university and private libraries in this country. Actually, it isn't you, it's that tiny minority who abuse the system. They steal books, cut out illustrations, rip out graphs and plates, deface, underline, hi-light and spill coke and leave greasy finger prints on property paid for by all of us and intended for the betterment of community. You may not even know anyone that rude or mean; you might even think everyone is as honest as you.

So, we purchase security systems, but still people get around them. They'll drop books out of windows, mishelve them so only they know where the book is, lift them over sensors, sweet talk or bribe staff, and cut the material into pieces to fit into backpacks. And these are future ministers, bankers, farmers, teachers, nurses, veterinarians, and the ordinary housewife and plumber.

So what do you think the Islamo-fascist will do to accomplish his end? Might really be worth it to know where that phone call is coming from, and why he is calling your neighbor, or banker, or teacher, or plumber, the person you trust. If we're watching you this carefully with our library books, it's a good idea to watch the bad guys too.