Let me be honest we’ve been blessed to not be directly impacted by the “recession” besides some close family salaries being decreased.  But Summer and I work in fields that are doing well during this time. 

But that doesn’t mean I haven’t felt the consequences.  I love reading.  I remember as a child my mom taking me to the local library to pick out a book for the week.  As we walked in the door she would walk me to the children’s section identified by the green and orange chairs chrematistic of the 70’s.  She would then go the section where her novels shelved. These trips produced a love for non-fiction.

So as an adult on a budget I often borrow my books from the library and save the money to purchase those hard to find books (i.e. church planting).  And until recently I’ve been very happy with my relationship with the local Pleasant Hills Public Library.  As of late the books have been hard to get.  I’m now always on the waiting list and not just for the popular books (Outliners by Gladwell) but the not so popular (Reimagining Church by Viola).  When I go into the library the place is full.  Part of this influx could be their newly reduced hours, but I think a lot of it has to do with the economy. 

People are borrowing more books, instead of buying.  They are visiting the library or sitting outside in their cars to access the WiFi because maybe they’ve canceled their internet, just another luxury expense.  People can relate at the library.

This is nothing new to some people.  When we moved to Austin five years ago, here to plant a church and still looking for jobs, I would go to the library with a friend to borrow CDs and movies because it was cheaper than a album purchase or the rental.  Although I don’t think either of us borrows music or movies from library anymore, it has become common during our “recession” to see people browsing the libraries media, like we once did.

Now let’s pray this remains my only product of the economy.