I am carrying two tote bags of books in my arms to donate to the library. I am a literary pack mule. And, as usual, I am not one hundred percent present. I am thinking about social status and class, specifically, HSBC Jade.
It occurs to me, What if the library were to have a rewards system like HSBC Jade? If they were, I would have it. This year I already donated way more than 100 books, more than a library trolley could hold, when I moved house and a friend moved house. They were good books. I divvied up the donation over several days because, as a literary pack mule, I am a lightweight.
Today, I am bringing books like How to Cook Everything to the library. I arrive at the front desk only to hear that the donation policy has changed. Now you need to write an email ahead of time explaining which books you wish to donate. If they say yes, you can donate them. I didn’t ask but the librarian on duty told me that someone had donated too many books. I nodded like this was perfectly reasonable and turned to leave. Dignity, I told myself, preserve your dignity. Then I dumped the books in the returns box outside the main entrance anyway. So much for HSBC Jade.