I Used to Love Libraries

But now, I just can’t do it.

Photo by Sabrina Sturzu on Unsplash.

Libraries are gross. There, I said it.

DON’T HIT ME, I HAVE MY REASONING.

I used to adore libraries. A wealth of knowledge and entertainment available for absolutely anybody, a quiet place for tutoring, oftentimes easier for research if it’s something that the internet only vaguely touches upon. Some libraries are beautiful and filled to the brim with books on all subjects.

So what the hell is my problem?

Honestly, they’re dirty. Very dirty.

I am someone that refuses to use public restrooms unless I am absolutely desperate. After working in a commercial building and needing to clean or fix these restrooms, I was horrified to see library books being put on the floor of bathroom stalls. Books aren’t like bowling shoes, they aren’t just going to spray the books down with something when they come back to the library. A quick flip-through for possible damage, sure. But that’s it.

Another reason is, where I live, there was this huge bed bug outbreak. It had spread to several old age homes in the area. Many of the elderly frequent the libraries, so out of sheer curiosity I one day inquired on whether or not the local library had a bed bug protocol. Anything to even remotely assist in preventing them from…