I should really be doing homework right now.

They said that doing homework on the road would be difficult. I realized this tonight, as I left a book at home that I needed for an assignment due tomorrow.

So, I figure I'd mosey down to the millions of Barnes/Noble or Borders around here to get the handy-dandy book that has the play that I need to read tonight. And come to find out, this is book that isn't very popular [as most textbooks are], and isn't carried by major retailers.

No problem. There are lots of colleges around, so I'll go to one of the libraries tonight after my fair. I choose Claremont College -- about 15 minutes away. So, I get to Claremont to find out that they have not one, but TWO libraries. And I am in luck, because there is a copy of what I need at EACH library! Two libraries! Two books!

Here we go, Library 1. I enter, find the call section. Book isn't there. Computer says it is. Book isn't there. No problem, I say -- there is a whole other library with the book I need!

Enter Library 2. Library 2 has the book I need -- hooray! I can't check out the book, but the play is only 35 pages, so I had decided to photocopy it. Turns out that the copier at Library 2 is broken. "Can I take this book over to the other library so I can make a copy?" "No, you can't, but the book is at the other library as well." "I didn't find it on the shelf there." "Maybe go and check again."

Back at Library 1, I consult the librarian there. "I don't see how it's not on the shelf, it hasn't been checked out for two years." "Okay, I'll check again." Giving the librarians and the Library of Congress system the benefit of the doubt, I again search the shelf. No book. Really though. No book. "The book isn't there, I checked." "Oh, well you can fill out this search form if you want." "Well, I just need to make a copy, is there any way that I can bring that book over?" "No, I think you're out of luck."

There. Two libraries. One with the book. The other with the working photocopier. Separated by about 50 yards.

So I left. Fortunately, University of the Redlands is only a half an hour away, so I was able to head over there. And their librarian was nice. And they had two copies of the book. And they had two photocopiers.

Take that, Claremont.