Recent memories and new thoughts

Years back when I was residing in Chicago, I observed a diabolical trend in the slow yet steady decline in the used bookstore industry. Now my favorite places to go when I was attending University were these used bookstores. I remember establishing friendships with the owners and other frequent patrons, and having passionate discussions on a variety of book-related topics while sipping on coffee. Such discussions over time ceased and the talk changed from books to "how am I going to compete with yet another Borders opening up down the block". The once bright and spirited owners were being transformed into solemn and weary personalities; and it made me equally downcast. So I took it upon myself to write an ode in honor of these humble and ruggedly independent bibliophiles. Indeed, my sentiments poured a healthy dose of over-the-top verbiage and exaggerations into the writing, but it does adequately express my thoughts at that time. And the only reason I am adding this to my blog is to always keep in my mind the reason why I went into librarianship in the first place (like the reason why I went into used bookstores)-- I love books, I love being surrounded by books, I love everything about books. As libraries are attempting to catch up with the digital age, one must never forget that there are still people, like myself, who go to the library to participate in one of life's great and simple pleasures-- reading a good book.