Well, as you can read in the comments section of my last post, I didn’t get out yesterday to Elf somebody, as I expected; it was just too darn cold! However, our 20 degree weather today felt almost Spring-like compared to the last several here, so I finally got to run errands and Elf somebody in the process.

I absolutely *had* to get to the library today to pick up books that were being held for me. Several had already been returned due to my “no show” status, which was related to our recent snowstorms and bitter cold temps. I knew another was about to go back if I didn’t pick it up today, so I added that to my list of errands for the afternoon.

I love my library system and use it often. Reading has always been one of my favorite past-times, and I can barely stand to go a day without reading something (off the computer, I mean). I homeschool my kids, so we use it a lot for that as well, and I often check out books that I’m not quite sure are right for me before buying them. As you can imagine, it’s pretty easy (and common *ugh*) for us to rack up the overdue fines.

Once the fines reach a certain point, patrons can’t check out books, and worse yet, can’t even put books on hold! Obviously, being able to use my library is important to me but, it’s not always possible for me to keep my fines paid.  Truly, I *do* try to return books on time, but sometimes circumstances dictate that I don’t… and honestly, sometimes I’m just too lazy .

I suspect it’s the same for most other patrons of our library, and so I thought I’d use the two $1 bills I had in my wallet to Elf a fellow library-lover.

Today, I wanted to get home quickly (we were finishing errands as the sun was going down and the feel of the temperature drops dramatically then), so I ran in and quickly picked up my items.  I love how the library makes things so easy for me, having my holds ready for me to get myself! Then I took my books to the counter to check them out. We have a wonderful self-check system, but I leave my card with my husband so he can pick up things for me when I need it, and I use my ID.

I have to take my ID to the counter, which made it easier for me to approach the staff about paying part of somebody’s fines. I was SO glad that the library was quiet, because I didn’t want to hold other patrons up for what I kept thinking of as my “silly request”. I told the staff member that after she checked out my books for me, I had a kind of strange request. I have to laugh, because telling her that threw her off a bit, and she forgot my answer to a question she had just asked.

I then told her that I would like to pay somebody else’s fines, if that was okay. She told me that would be fine, but that she was not able to just go through people’s records to see who had fines. I showed her that I had $2, and wondered aloud if it would be possible to just leave it at the counter for the next person who had fines to pay. She figured that she should ask a supervisor, and I waited while she did so.

I could see them from where I was standing, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying, and I tried not to stare intently and read lips. A moment later, I heard the supervisor say, “Let me get you an envelope,” and I knew it was a done deal! Then the supervisor came over to me and explained that, while normally this would be a difficult process, she was just starting her shift for the night and could easily apply it to somebody else’s fine, and that, “Somebody will absolutely love this!”. 

I know it’s not a lot, but it could be just enough to help somebody be able to use the library. I will never know who got it, and the person who got it will never know that it came from me, as I didn’t leave a card or note of any kind.

I felt so good as I was leaving, wondering who might get the $2. Maybe somebody who really needed it but didn’t have the money to pay for it? Maybe somebody who had a way to pay for it, but really needs the money for other things (especially at this time of year)? Maybe somebody who didn’t need it at all, but for whom the act will put a smile on their face, and put in their mind to Elf somebody else!

Thinking about it all – no matter who it is – is so joyful that I can’t wait to Elf somebody else.