Vacation is coming up soon. And we’ll be near Washington,
D.C. We’ve visited DC several times before—there’s so much to see and most of
it is free, which is important when you have six people in the family. There
are some places we always revisit like the National Gallery—where else can you
see a Da Vinci in the US? And we still have a list of places we’ve never
visited like the National Zoo.
But there’s one more place I’ve got on my itinerary. And one
more thing I want. I want to go to the Library of Congress and get a library
card (actually it’s called a reader card,
but we won’t quibble over titles). I’ve always wanted a card to the Library of
Congress. I don’t know why. But to a reader and writer like me, it seems like
the ultimate prize. To have a bit of plastic that allows me access to one of
the greatest libraries of our time.
I’ve done the research. I know where to apply (Rm LM 140 of
the Madison Building), what identification is necessary (driver’s license/state
id/passport), and what paperwork is needed (computer-based questionnaire).
What will I do with the card? I’ll look at some books, maybe
do a bit or research. After that, I’ll probably just carry it around in my
wallet for two years. That’s how long they last. And I’ll carry even after it
expires like a talisman.
Now if only I could get a card to the library at Alexandria…but
it’s too late for that.
