Hello all,
I’ve had this website, irenejackson.com, since 1991! And I recently considered shutting it right down. But I changed my mind and got a new webhost, and so the articles will remain for a few years longer. There may be some technical issues as I continue the transfer, so please bear with me.
And thanks for supporting this website!
Cheers,
IJ
There was a news story recently about a book that was finally returned to the Vancouver Public Library, 50 years overdue. What surprised me most was when I realized I was working there when that book was originally checked out! Yes, my connection to libraries goes back a long way.
Before computers and Google and all of that, there were card files and librarians and library assistants like me. If you wanted to do a search for something, you either called or walked up to a librarian and asked your question and she or he did the legwork.
Back then you had librarian intelligence, not the artificial kind. Well, librarians still have plenty of intelligence, don’t get me wrong. Librarians and library technicians have to go through several years of university. Did you know that?
I remember working the occasional Friday night at the library, when there would inevitably be a call from some inebriated guy sitting in a local pub, wanting to settle an argument with his buddy about which sports team won this or that in such-and-such a year.
These days, they can Google it. If they’re not too drunk to spell, that is.
When home computers came along, I remember worrying if digital technology was going to take over the usefulness of libraries.
I didn’t need to worry at all because libraries have adapted and are doing just fine.
Reading is one thing I’ve been doing a lot more of since I’ve retired. Now, don’t start picturing an old grey-haired lady in a rocking chair with a history encyclopedia, please. For your information, I dye my hair.
No, my method of reading is by e-book, either using an e-book reader or Libby, a free app that basically does the same thing. I’ve found and read entire series’ that way.
I got a library card from the Greater Victoria Public Library when I first moved to Victoria in the 80’s. But as life got busier and busier, reading a book was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Except for reading to my small children, that is.
Then a few years back I decided I should renew my library card. I still had it, but it was long, long past the renewal date. I walked in to a branch of GVPL, expecting to go up to a desk and get issued a new one. But when a clerk walked up to me and I told her what I needed to do, she pulled out a hand held device sort of like a credit card reader at a restaurant, and did it all using just that.
I hope I didn’t look too stupefied when she handed my card back.
And that was it. I could now borrow physical books, e-books, magazines, all kinds of things, to my heart’s content. Libraries have a lot more than books, even more so these days.
There are all kinds of programs for adults, kids, tweens and teens including reading groups, information sessions and community support programs. You can learn English, learn how to replace important ID cards, and go for a Summer Story Walk.
There are virtual events like BC Libraries Present where you can log in to meet and listen to award-winning authors. At the Esquimalt Branch, The Lab lets you convert photos, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, and other media to digital formats.
And all of the things you can borrow! Video games (even the Nintendo Switch 2), movies, music, audio books.
I was a computer operator when I left the Vancouver Public Library, which was one of the first library systems in the country to become automated. As a parting gift, my boss, Mr. Peters, handed me a book. Of course.
It was called “Gutenberg Two”. The Gutenberg was the original printing press that revolutionized the world of information. Suddenly, people who could read could learn all kinds of things.
The second Gutenberg, according to this book, was the computer. And boy, has the computer ever changed the world.
But it hasn’t put libraries out of business!
So do yourself a favour and check out our local library some time. You might be surprised at what they have to offer.
Oh, and the family that returned that book 50 years late? The library forgave the fine, which means they can still borrow books.
Phew.
I remember taking my driver’s test a few years back. Okay, more than a few years back. It was in downtown Vancouver in the middle of rush hour and I was nervous. But I was managing to follow the rules and doing okay.
That is, until my instructor/tester told me to make a left turn from a busy thoroughfare onto a side street. I signaled a left turn and stopped, watching the oncoming traffic and looking for a gap. I saw one and decided to make my move.
As I turned the car, I realized there was an old guy walking across that side street. Slowly. I had to stop for him just as a swarm of traffic was coming towards me. I sat there, blocking the oncoming cars, and nervously waited.
Let’s just say the old guy made it to the other side. Of the street, I mean. But me, I failed my driver’s test, though I eventually took it again, and passed.
When I moved to Victoria a couple of years later, life was literally at a different speed. There were a lot of older drivers on the roads who were definitely not in any hurry. But I realize in hindsight they were probably just going the speed limit, or close to it, and I wasn’t used to that.
However, the population of Victoria has boomed in the last couple of decades, as has the amount of traffic that goes along with it. Now we might as well be driving in Vancouver.
The introduction of bike lanes changed the dynamic even more. These days, we have signal lights for pedestrians, signals for cars and for bikes. It takes a little practice to know which one you need to be watching.
Am I in my car, on my bike, or walking? Give me a minute…
The street we live on, which was very quiet when we first moved here, now has heavy traffic every day, especially during rush hour. One of our neighbours actually complained to the city about it.
They put in “traffic calming” measures at one point. That term makes me laugh…you see a lot more enraged drivers when they have to slow down or stop for oncoming traffic because of a boulevard jutting out. Traffic calming my foot.
Now don’t get me wrong. As a pedestrian, I encounter many nice, polite drivers who give me the right of way, and I always smile and wave thank you. But all it takes is one miserable person behind the wheel to ruin my day. Or I’ve ruined his, I suppose.
I want to suggest that these speeders are all young, impatient males, but I’m often surprised to see how many of them are women. And sometimes even “older” women. Everyone’s in such a hurry.
Which brings me to the recent reduction in speed limits in Victoria and Saanich. As a driver, I really have to work at keeping my speed at or just above the maximum, and I do try. But sometimes I’m on automatic (little pun there) and forget how fast I’m going.
When I am keeping to the speed limit, it’s almost a guarantee that I will eventually encounter a tailgater hovering right up behind me. A couple of times I’ve pulled over just to let the idiot pass so I don’t have to worry about being rear ended.
But if I’m truthful, I’m probably guilty of tailgating others here and there too. You know. When I’m the “older” woman in a hurry.
I am generally in favour of the lower speed limits, even if a lot of people aren’t paying any attention to them. There are just too many traffic accidents these days, and pedestrians and cyclists getting hit and even killed. Enough of that!
We’ve all got to slow down. You move too fast. (That might give you “older” folks an earworm.)
IJ