The Library Card

Igor is new in the city. On Monday, he walks past a big old building with a sign: “Public Library. Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.”

It is closed on Mondays, so he comes back on Tuesday morning. Inside, it is quiet and bright. There are long wooden tables, green lamps and books from the floor to the ceiling.

At the front desk, a young librarian says hello. “Can I help you?” “Yes, I'd like to borrow some books. What do I need?” asks Igor.

“Just a library card. It's free. I need your ID and your address,” the librarian answers. Five minutes later, Igor has a blue card with his name on it.

“You can take up to five books for three weeks,” the librarian explains. “If you need more time, you can renew them online. And on Thursdays, at six, there is a conversation club.”

Igor chooses a cookbook, a city guide and three novels. At home, he reads every evening. The city guide helps him discover parks, markets and a cheap bus line to the beach.

On Thursday, he goes to the conversation club. There are eight people from five countries. They talk about food, music and the strange habits of their new city, and they laugh a lot.

Three weeks later, Igor returns the books on time. He doesn't feel new in the city anymore. Now he has a card, a favorite chair by the window and a group of friends every Thursday.