Wednesday, September 2, 2009

THE NEW MOUNTAIN VIEW LIBRARY

Ten years ago the newly built, modern Mountain View Library opened. Many innovations were added, and even more have been installed since then. The entire area is light and airy, and there is plenty of light in between the stacks.



This is the main lobby. To the left one may check out books and other materials automatically, and if one cannot figure out how to operate the equipment, there is always someone there to help. I’m getting pretty good at by now.







On the right (out of the photo) is an information desk where one may apply for a card, inquire about the availability of titles, and other information. I’ve even had them offer to go to the stacks to obtain a book I wanted to borrow.



The library has a number of movies and DVD’s that may be checked out. Farther down this aisle is the children’s area.












There are a number of computers available for use. These shown are to check the catalog.














There are several comfortable areas where one may sit and read. This one is on the first floor.











These are the second floor stacks.














Second floor reading area.












And of course plenty of magazines.










Fun time:

SAVING THE FAMILY RANCH

Two sisters inherit the family ranch. Unfortunately, after just a few years, they are in financial trouble. In order to keep the bank from repossessing the ranch, they need to purchase a bull from the stockyard in a far town so that they can breed their own stock. They only have $600 left. The older sister is the one who will travel. Upon leaving, she says, "When I get there, if I decide to buy the bull, I'll contact you to drive out after me and haul it home."

The sister arrives at the stockyard, inspects the bull, and decides she wants to buy it. The man tells her that he will sell it for $599--no less. After paying him, she drives to the nearest town to send her sister a telegram to tell her the news. She walks into the telegraph office, and says, "I want to send a telegram to my sister telling her that I've bought a bull for our ranch. I need her to hitch the trailer to our pickup truck and drive it

here so we can haul it home." The telegraph operator explains that he'll be glad to help her, then adds, "It's just 99 cents a word."

Well, after paying for the bull, the sister only has $1 left. She realizes that she'll only be able to send one word. After a few minutes of thinking, she nods and says, "I want you to send her the word 'comfortable'."

The operator shakes his head. "How is she ever going to know that you want her to hitch the trailer to your pickup truck and drive out here to haul that bull back to your ranch if you send her just the word 'comfortable'?"

She explains: "My sister is a very poor reader. The word's big. She'll read it very slowly......... com-for-da-bull".

2 comments:

  1. Light and airy, indeed. Personally, I love the magazine section. And that purple chair looks mighty comfy.

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  2. That's my daughter's favorite library. Hard to believe it's been ten years since the temporary set up in mobile modulars out on Middlefield Road.

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