I made a library book … but it took me a while to prove it.

I’ve got to admit, it was pretty exciting to see libraries across the United States purchasing Crown of Fire, but it was the imminent stocking of my novel in the local library that had me in a spin. Of course, I’m happy and grateful that people can find Crown of Fire in bookstores, but the idea that I had created a library book filled me with a different kind of delight.

Libraries are inclusive and joyful places where the entire world appears in print. We can dive deep into the mysteries of this world, or escape into a new one. Endless possibilities await as we scan the aisles and intuit what might be a good read. Without sales pitches or posters, it’s just us and the surrounding stories, and fewer barriers between us and the magic of the written word.

And my book would soon be on those shelves!

It was raining when I logged on to check Crown of Fire’s progress through the library system. The last notification had labelled it as In Transit so I knew it wasn’t far away…

On Shelf

I imagined it sitting there, waiting in its contact-covered glory, and was desperate to take a photo to share with friends. OMG! I made a library book!

*Ding*
An email alert interrupted my happy-dance.  

A huge banner I’d ordered for author signings was due for delivery, and the thought of the courier leaving it in the rain made me put down my car keys… and I mumbled something about patience.
I can be patient…. really, I can.

Delivery signed for, and not too wet—Check.
Time to log onto the library site, car keys in hand.  

What?

On Loan
Someone had checked it out.
I’d have to wait two weeks to take my photo!
I gritted my teeth.
I. am. patient.  

What if they were quick readers?
I checked the library website after a week, just in case.

Nooo! 
Another two holds appeared.!

Six weeks at least now. Ugh!
p. a. t. i. e. n. c. e. d. a. m. n. i. t.

A couple of weeks later a friend and I were laughing about my library dilemma and put the book on hold in her name.
Yes! My library book was finally secured for my five-minute photography window!

Then I visited the library on another matter and approached the help desk about my photo. Maybe there was a way they could put in a quick sneaky hold between patrons? Nope. Nothing could be done.

‘I know!’ The librarian sat upright in her chair. ‘I’ll put a hold on it with your card.’
She was so thrilled with her solution that I didn’t want to tell her there was a hold by proxy already.
‘Won’t that look a bit .. ah.. dodgy?’ I asked.
The librarian smiled and tapped at her keyboard. ‘Maybe they won’t even notice.’
Yeah right. ‘Lisa King borrowing a book by Lisa King?’

Six weeks later Crown of Fire was waiting for me at my local branch. It was like meeting an old buddy in a new town; familiar but with new surroundings that promised hope and growth.
I took my long-awaited photos and dropped it into the returns slot for the next person on the list.

I suspect they’re way more patient than I am.