Woot, besides being an awesome library that understands how people utilize libraries in the 21st century, the main branch of the Houston Public Library does it right when it comes to Occult/Pagan books. Sure, there’s Pagan books you can take out of the library in the religion section. But then there’s also books and huge occult encyclopedias you can look at up on the research level. Granted, this stuff can’t leave the library - but it is still publicly accessible. Plus, you can read the book in the library (yay lots of seating), in case your parents/roommates would be less than sympathetic to such things. The place is so huge, it would also be difficult to attempt to spy on someone. This goes above and beyond our recommendations for libraries in several of our episodes and major kudos goes out to to the folks who maintain the library for providing an atmosphere conducive to learning.

If you’re in the Houston area, be sure to check out the main branch downtown (it’s not hard to find) if you’re in search of occult information. Sure, it isn’t as great a selection as your big box or online bookstore - but there’s a respectable selection beyond the Wicca 101 crap, even stuff written back pre-90s if you want a different perspective on things. I say that since the 90s seems to be when Wicca started seriously experiencing the growing pains referred to as “the rise of fluffdom.”

If you’re running a library, definitely check out what these folks do. If you have better recommendations or more input, leave them in a comment :). I know rural areas can’t implement some of these things given their small budgets and small floorplans. Nevertheless, something worth looking into.