THE GRAPES OF WRATH...KINDA: With the closing of the Salinas Public Library, thousands of disadvantaged Californians from John Steinbeck's home town are taking to the highways in large caravans that stretch as far as the eye can see, traveling east towards the promised land of Oklahoma, where they expect to find an endless supply of library books waiting for them. The desperate readers go to Oklahoma clutching flyers from public libraries the length and breadth of the state in their hands, flyers promising easy access to the Internet and to children’s story hours, to the New York Times bestsellers and to the newest movies out on DVD. They come with hope and great expectations in their hearts, only to find that others have taken out The da Vinci Code before they arrived and that public libraries in Oklahoma won’t lend books to non-residents. They will triumph over these adversities, however, because they’re the people, and you can’t lick them. Knock’em down and they’ll get right back up again. (Music swells as we see a line of old cars head down the highway towards the Tulsa Public Library; singer begins to sing “Red River Valley.”)

"For a long time my darlin' I've waited
For the sweet words you never would say
Now at last all my fond hopes have vanished
For they say that you're going away

Then come sit by my side if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the cowboy that's loved you so true. "