home

Home > Dispatches > Daily Dispatches 2021 >Daily Dispatch #199

July 20, 2021: A Wealth of Knowledge

Now this title would make for a good chapter title in my book, the one about the Bright Lights Book Project. I have not been taking notes – I figure that because I live on the outskirts of Palmer, that I’ll be able to go back and talk with key people. I should, after Thursday’s reading, make a timeline so I have an idea of key events.

Yes, what I am dealing with is a wealth of knowledge. So many books, and so much information. And putting ideas forth in a coherent fashion takes time.

One of my favorite book project tasks is putting the books in the bookcases. I first park my car, which is full of boxes of books, run inside the distribution area, and assess the situation. The question I ask myself is, how many boxes of books am I going to need to put onto the shelves? I am most happy when it’s a good number, which is usually the case.

I envision Bright Light Book Project readers as I run back to the car, pull forth the dolly, load it up, and head back into the building. Right now, a good many of the book recipients are tourists, passing through Southcentral Alaska. There they are, for instance, standing in front of the Vagabond Blues bookcase. Some, like those traveling by plane seek out small books, and fast reads. Perhaps, say, they might take Tuesdays with Morrie in hand.


Looking at books during the first sale.


And some, traveling by RV, might pick out a more lengthy work, like say, Roots, or James Michener’s Alaska. What these two types of travelers have in common is that, in selecting said book, they ask, is it going to take two, four, six hours to read this particular book?

This particular thought stayed with me today, as I was putting books on the shelves. Some people would just walk by, while others would slow down. Still others would stop and look closely at the titles. I attempted to engage the latter group in conversation by playing bookstore owner and asking them if there was anything in particular that they were looking for. As usual, all said no. I then filled the ensuing silence by telling them about the Bright Lights Book Project.

They move on, and I resume filling the shelves. When I was done, when they were done, I stepped back, as I always do, and before leaving, admired my handiwork. The shelves, with the books lined up in some apparent order, to me are always a thing of beauty. I am also blown away by the fact that if those involved in the BLBP hadn’t gotten a hold of these books, that they would have been shredded. An aside: Pete said that right now, mixed paper is going for $80.00 a ton – which is quite high. I have my fingers crossed that the powers that be at the recycling center don’t decide to cut the BLPB off and cash in.

As I am now thinking, wealth of knowledge, this is what I am dealing with.

Next: 200. 7/21/21: On Your Mark, Get Set. . .

Horse Care Home About Us Dispatches Trips Alys's Articles