But this is Chico, too

Have you noticed how there are always so many small cars are in the parking lot in back of the Chico library? If you drive a big car, you probably haven’t because you probably don’t go to the library.

I wonder what would happen if people who had never borrowed a book from a library suddenly became regulars. Would they trade in their big car for a smaller one?

I think they would do that, but I think the chances of developing a library-going habit in the middle of your driving career are slight. You’ve either always gone to the library and always will or you’ve never gone to the library and never will.

You either drive a big car or a small car.

But why is there a connection between being a library patron and driving a small car?

Is it because library patrons are poor? They can’t afford to buy books, so they borrow them. They can’t afford big cars so they buy small models.

Is it because library patrons live so much in their heads that they don’t care what things look like, least of all cars? If the point of buying big cars is to flaunt their looks, then this gesture would mean little to library patrons.

Is it because library patrons, as avid readers, were the first to learn that small cars get better gas mileage and are less polluting and were quick to put that knowledge into practice?

Can you think of any other theories as to why this correlation exists? Are you as convinced as I am that there is a correlation?

I’ve noticed that the parking lot at S & S Organic Produce and Natural Foods is full of small cars. What’s the correlation there? Is it because the parking lot is so small and compact that big cars can’t fit? Is it because S & S patrons are also more likely to go the library and therefore possess the characteristics I’ve already theorized about?

What other parking lots in Chico attract small cars, and why?