I live in Chinatown, but I barely spend much time there. I spend most of my days reading in the Flushing Library. I could just visit my local library, but the 10-minute walk from my house includes a block of open fish markets frequented by rowdy people. And I happen to enjoy the long, soothing train rides to Flushing.
The first floor of the library is loud, but the second floor breathes intellectualism. There are students studying from reference books, old people reading newspapers, and people even older than that learning how to use computers. Hell, there are even quiet rooms where people can shut themselves out completely from the rest of the world. It's such a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon. I've considered getting a Queens Library Card several times, but I never get around to trying. Maybe it's because the lines at the Flushing Library are so hideously long. Or maybe it's because I don't want another pile of late fees to worry about. But it's most likely because I forget to bring my proof of address every time.
