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The Borrowers Downtown
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The Los Angeles Times checks out folks patronizing the Central Library downtown in an article published 11/28/2004.Michael T. Jarvis writes "The Central Library in downtown Los Angeles is home to 2.2 million volumes, including books, maps, CDs, DVDs and prints... We checked out some book lovers for a quick read on the library.
Ted Sweetser
Space Mission Designer at JPL
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Pasadena
What brings you here?
I brought some books back. I also bought some books at the book sale.
What are you returning?
Plays. My wife reads those. I'm more of a science fiction fan.
Your favorite read ever?
One is "The Dispossessed," science fiction by Ursula K. Le Guin. Libraries trust that people will return books.
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Why does the system work?
Because most people are trustworthy. I suspect the percentage of trustworthy readers is somewhat higher than the percentage of trustworthy people in general.
What book should be read more?
"Wittgenstein's Poker" by David Edmonds and John Eidinow.
It's about a confrontation between Ludwig Wittgenstein and Karl Popper, a couple of philosophy professors in the middle part of the last century.
***
Cristina Garalde
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Financial Analyst
Los Angeles
What are you checking out today?
John Grisham's "The Summons," and "Straight Talking" by Jane Green. Also, "The Dim Sum of All Things" by Kim Wong Keltner. It's close to home because it's an Asian writer and I'm Filipino. It's my No. 1 hobby, reading. How boring, huh?
Your favorite read ever?
"Memoirs of a Geisha." I left it in the Philippines so I'm going to buy it. It's a great story.
Your favorite section of the library?
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The law books. I'm studying to be a paralegal and I have assignments to do.
What is the typical librarian personality?
On "Extreme Makeover" there was a librarian. She had glasses and didn't look attractive. Afterward she looked really hot.
What should be banned from public libraries?
Couples hanging out. They shouldn't do that.
You don't like public displays of affection?
Not in the library.
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