The Library Card

When Marco moved to Calgary for work, he thought the public library was only for students and children. He had not been inside a library for years. But one Saturday, it was minus twenty-five outside, and he wanted somewhere warm to sit for an hour, so he went in. At the front desk, a young man asked if he needed help. "I'm just looking," Marco said. "Can anyone come in?" "Of course," the librarian said. "Do you have a library card? It's free. You just need some ID with your address." Marco had his driver's licence with him, so five minutes later he had a card. The librarian gave him a short list of what he could do with it: borrow books and films, use the computers, download e-books and audiobooks to his phone, and join free programs. "Free programs?" Marco asked. "We have an English conversation group every Wednesday evening," the librarian said. "And workshops about writing a résumé. Lots of newcomers come." Marco borrowed two books and downloaded an audiobook for his bus ride to work. The next Wednesday, he went to the conversation group. There were eight people from six countries, and a volunteer who helped them talk about their week. Marco talked about his job, his new apartment, and the terrible cold. By the end of the winter, he was going to the library every week. He told his friends, "I came in because I was cold. I stayed because it was the most useful place in the city."