You Need a Library Card

Why you ask?

There's a couple of reasons.  First if you have a long commute (mine is 1 hour each way), and you are sick of the radio or want to try something different, you can check out any number of audio books.

If you like comics you might check out The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon.  If you are taking a literature class, most classic books are available on CDs.  Listening to a book is a great way to discover new things about a text using an audible learning style.

But what does this have to do with the sword in this post?

My library card got me into San Francisco's Asian Art Museum to see China's Terracotta Warriors for FREE - and what an incredible exhibit.  
China's Terracotta Warriors were commissioned by the First Emperor, Qin Shihuang (259-210 BCE) conquered much in this life, but his driving purpose was even greater: He sought to conquer death. In order to achieve immortality, he built himself a tomb—a vast underground city guarded by a life-size terracotta army including warriors, infantrymen, horses, chariots and all their attendant armor and weaponry.This exhibition includes ten figures—a representative sample of the actual army, which is estimated to include more than 7,000 life-sized figures and over 10,000 weapons.
The picture does not begin to do justice to this bronze sword with its jade inlaid gilt grip.  There are some things you just have to see to appreciate, and I bet you never expected your library card could do that for you.

With my library card I can also visit Cartoon Art Museum, the Oakland Museum, the Aquarium, Bay Area Discovery Museum, California Shakespeare Theater, the Academy of Sciences and much more.  So go get a library card and spend some free time at premier San Francisco Bay Area venues.

What are you going to do this summer?

Comments

  1. Tiffany TanMay 28, 2013 at 6:20 PM

    Wow, that's pretty cool! I never thought that a library card could get you into places for free. I always thought that a library card’s only use was for the library. Does it matter what kind of library card you have or do all library cards work? I actually have a library card from the Union City Library but I never use it. Maybe I will start using it during the summer so that I can get into the aquarium and the Academy of Sciences for free. Speaking of summer, I’m going to be doing summer school so that I can finish my upper division GE. I want to be in college for only 4 years so I plan to be done by June 2015. I’m also hoping that I get to travel somewhere but with school in the way, I probably won’t. Maybe when school is over like in September, then I could go somewhere, perhaps to Disneyland! That would be perfect. I would love it if I could go with friends ☺

    ReplyDelete
  2. SinthrikllMay 29, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    I don’t really see why it is necessary for people to have a library card in general, not everyone can afford to drive or take time out of their day to go to exhibits or other attractions on a regular basis. In my experience most exhibits do not have that much information posted about them, much less free deals with library cards. Although obtaining a card is strictly more useful than not having a card at all, it sounds from your article that every single person alive should have a card as it is one of the most important things you can have in your life.
    Don’t get me wrong, I believe you are right, just not for the reasons that you have given. It is still useful to know that I can do other things aside from just giving myself a free education and can experience things with people other than myself.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMay 29, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    I never knew you could go to all these things for free with a library card! I've personally been to China to see the terracotta warriors when I was younger, and I would love to have the experience to see them again. This kind of opportunity should be strongly promoted amongst grammar schools and high schools. While growing up, I know a lot of the reasoning behind teenagers getting into trouble was simply being bored. However, from reading the article, it seems that there are a lot of areas whose library cards don't support these benefits. Instead of working independently, more libraries should come together to allow widespread publicity as well as benefits. An offer like this would be desirable to all age groups and social classes, and could also bring in unity throughout our society.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mikaella ParkOctober 22, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    I never imagined that I can do something else besides borrowing books. I also go to SF from Walnut Creek at least two times a week. During driving, I am easy to get bored. Audio CDs is one of efficient way to manage my academic time. ( Now I remember you talked about audio CDs shortly during classes) I will definitely try them with my library card. Also I was wondering what Shakespeare Theather is whenever I pass by it. I am so happy that my library card gives me a opportunity to visit there!

    ReplyDelete

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