An ode to the public library

While I have a decent-sized cookbook collection, I realize that I simply cannot have every new cookbook that catches my eye, nor can I collect every worthy classic. There is only so much shelf space and budget available, even though Jenny’s monthly review always tempt me. However, I have a way to deal with this situation: visit my local library. 

Not only can I peruse new releases, but I can also thumb through the latest food magazines (because again, there are only so many subscriptions I can handle without venturing into hoarder-land). For some reason I totally missed the fact that my library allows me to check out older issues of magazines, and now I have a stack each week to go through. 

Our library sells some of its cookbook collection each year, but many books remain. It’s interesting to see which books stay on the shelves year after year. On my last visit I picked up The French Laundry Cookbook, a hefty tome that, while fun to read, will likely never end up in my collection. The book was released nearly twenty years ago, but it’s still in the rotation in my small town library. That’s a testament to its worth. Joy of Cooking is another mainstay, with the 75th Anniversary edition holding forth on the shelves. 

Sometimes seeing a book ‘in the flesh’ is enough to prompt me to purchase it, whether a new release or an older one. There are some books that I know I want and will pre-order (so I can get the EYBDigital version!), and I also use the EYBD Preview feature to help me make up my mind. Even then, it’s nice to get the book in my hands and leaf through the entire volume. 

Plus, there is just something comforting about the library. I often run into friends, and even make new ones when a kindred spirit strikes up a conversation over a book or magazine. Our library even has a space for gardeners to drop off excess produce, which the library gives away and pairs with recipes from a book or magazine in their collection. Even though I love my own cookbook collection, I’ll never give up visiting our public library, which I like to think of as an extension to my own.