I recently visited a friend in Connecticut. It was dark by the time I started my drive back to Long Island. Too late, I realized I had made a wrong turn. I found myself on a street with beautiful homes, but not a person in sight. Although I manage the map collection for the Library's Vertical File, I had neglected to take a map out for my trip. We have numerous maps of Connecticut and New England. I also realized that I would have needed a flashlight to read it.
Luckily, I reached a friend by cell phone. She went on the Internet and told me just where I was located. I was then able to get on the highway and drive safely home. I know that some of you have GPS systems or could have texted Google for directions. But for the rest of us, there's a moral to this story: When you take a trip, bring your cell phone, a flashlight and A MAP FROM THE POB LIBRARY COLLECTION!