"It's as big as Gaisano," comparing it to the biggest shopping mall in my small hometown is how I would gush over our library here in Evanston to my friends back in the Philippines. Public libraries there and in other cities meant one floor, composed mostly of old and donated books, they can't be taken out of the room - even our school library only allowed a maximum of five books and for max period of 2 weeks if brought home. There weren't many choices either. If you want to read good books, you have to buy them in bookstores. Philippine public library, especially those outside Manila, is best described by another filipina/friend Lynne of Wisconsin, it's just a reading room compared to what the americans have here.

(above left photo) Going towards the entrance of the library. Photo taken this morning. (above right) Photo taken last summer thus the flowers. I can still remember my friend Emilie's (also a book fanatic) reaction when I led her to our library building. She stopped dead in her tracks, turned towards me and said "Diiiinne, kahilakon ko"(I feel like crying). It's an expression we both use when we are overwhelmed with emotion.

And wouldn't you know, it also has a really good collection of artbooks. A printshop owner and a children's storyteller whom I casually chatted with one time both shared this sentiment. (left photo) This is but just one aisle of art books. Art section takes up half the 2nd floor East Wing. I guess I have the Northwestern University art students to thank for this. Everytime I step into this section I usually don't know where to start, should I get artists' biographies? how-tos? history? cartoons? crafts? different media (i.e., oil, watercolor, pen and ink, colored pencil etc.)

They also have an ESL section, which would be helpful for immigrants like me. A quick glance showed books in simplified english on "150 Ways to Keep Your Job", "Sexual Harassments", "Passing the Citizenship Tests" among others. The library is a must-visit for newcomers to this country. Not to mention free access to internet and computer lessons.

The past week Tom was completely engrossed in this book (above left), he was amazed that the library had it in the first place. It's a biography of William Shakepeare. Tom has been looking for a good book to read for the longest time, he has gotten very picky lately. So I was happy that he came across this rare find. My choices (above right), although I have put a reservation for James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" (Oprah gave it a thumbs up!) and Terry Ryan's "The Prizewinner Of Defiance, Ohio: how my mother raised 10 kids in 25 words or less" (now a Julianne Moore movie). Counting the day!

With our library, all four storeys of it, we can borrow as many books as we want and keep with us for as long as 2-3 months. If we want to renew them, we can just call over the phone 24/7, speak to an automated machine and type in a code number or visit their website to do so. Just by taking a peek at their site's library catalog alone is like logging into the popular www.amazon.com, it is complete with photos and gives an inside look at the books we are interested in. Imagine that?

When I wasn't working yet and Tom saw me lugging all kinds of books to the condo, he told me that he was glad that we are making use of the taxes that we pay for. That's the thing about this country, a lot of our salary may go to taxes but we can see where it's going. How I wish it was the case in the Philippines.

If I'm to be asked what makes living in the US great? The library definitely is on my Top 10 list. It's simply paradise to a bookworm like me. Best of all, the books are in English.

Currently listening to: Diana Krall's Love Scenes
Currently reading: Jesus - An Intimate Look
Currently watching: The Verdict (Paul Newman)