Library visits, and what happens after

It's past midnight and I'm just done cleaning up the library books we borrowed with J. Library visits are a fortnightly, if not weekly, affair lately. So we go home with many books. I even dug out a book bag I got from the old library-teacher days. J recognises that bag now and if she sees us with that bag, she goes "Library!" 

"Borrow books!" (She just learnt that today.)

We got her a library membership card today. It's free for children under seven. I'm amazed at how quick it is. Technology. 

We scanned her birth certificate at the e-kiosk, keyed in a few details and within seconds, a card dropped out with her name printed on it. Barely a minute.

*snap*

Just like that.

It's so quick and easy. And the card is a proper thick card like credit cards. I remember mine was a flimsy piece of paper that was laminated and I have to be very careful with it because it peels.

I'm not the only one, am I?

To clean books after we borrow them? 

I didn't have the habit until I started borrowing board books for J. We only borrow board books for now because they don't tear. And I realise they always have interesting things stuck on them. Food bits, boogers... Hmm...

I'm addicted to cleaning the books after I borrow them now. Not because of hygiene reasons, but because of how they look as good as new after a clean. So much dirt have built up over the months and years of handling that the pages look dull. A quick wipe refreshes the book and makes it so much nicer to read. Trust me on this.

I do this in the night when everyone is sleeping because that's when I get peace and quiet. Mothers can relate, right?

This is what we do to board books after we borrow them:

1. I give it a quick wipe with wet wipes.

2. Then dry it quickly with tissue. 

Quickly before it dries up on its own. The pages will stick.

3. I fix the loose pages and tears.

4. Place them in the bags I got from IKEA. They work better than shelves in our place. 

I usually end up with a pile of tissues and that's so not environmental-friendly. Should consider cloth next time.

Okie. 

There.

My after-library regime.

Okay my dear friends, you can totally judge me now. ;)