Recs and ReadsBy Anne McKay GarrisMy Great Aunt Sallie Lu was a feisty little lady who had a formidable intellect and an astonishing collection of facts on most any subject you wish to discuss. Even though she often salted her conversation with sarcasm, sometimes directed at the listener, she was, nevertheless, sought out and listened to because of her storehouse of knowledge and the entertaining way in which she dispensed it. She was, in fact, so pleased with being better informed than most that she reacted badly when someone shared information new to her. "Well," she would say, in a voice laced with indignation, "what it is to know!" Partly because of my journalist instincts, and partly because I share a gene pool with Aunt Sallie Lu, I, too, enjoy being "in the know." Although I hope I'm not smug about it, or indignant when others know something I don't. However, I do confess to finding pleasure in the pursuit of knowledge and that is one of the reasons I cherish our lovely little Clearwater Beach Library. Anyone with a thirst for knowledge or entertainment will find a vast supply at our library. Our librarians are eager and willing to help you find what you are looking for, whether on computer, on the shelves, or in the resources of our county-wide library network. All you have to do is ask. On another subject. We name libraries and hospitals and streets after people, and stadiums after businesses. So, how would you like to have a computer named after you or your business? I'm serious here. The library has a matching grant for computers, three of which are badly needed at the Beach Library, especially when our visitors are here. But we need $1,800 to match the grant. Just imagine a hungry student tapping away on a computer named "Joe's Perfect Pizza Joint," or a frowzy headed visitor seeing her reflection in the screen as she types on the "Mary's Beauty Salon" computer. It bogies the mind. Let me hasten to assure you, this is only my wild idea. The Friends of the Clearwater Beach Library and Recreation Center would never consider suggesting such a thing. I'm not even sure the library would let us do it. But we could always ask!
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