If you haven’t already read it, The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a tremendous read. Hint what happened in 1982 that kept the burning down of a famous library off the front pages? Enjoyed your post as usual. X
Ohhh this brought back so many memories. My mom reading "The Wizard of Oz" to me, one chapter at a time. The time she had to go in to tell my second-grade teacher that no, I wasn't lying, I could and DID read "chapter books" and was to be allowed access to that part of the school library. My beloved local library in the small town where I grew up. My neighbor and friend when I was a child, a seventy-something year old lady who had worked in the NEW YORK CITY LIBRARY back in the day and traveled all over Europe. She'd had the most glamorous life of anyone I knew!
Let’s celebrate libraries! The first library I remember was the tiny dark little cave of a library nestled between the fire station, the adult education building, and the only Jewish synagogue in my newly established hometown. I was barely 4 years old and to me it was Aladdin’s cave filled with treasures. I still remember the first book I checked out about a goose named Petunia. I thought that library had everything. I wanted to learn to dance, and it had books that taught you how, complete with dotted lines that swirled across the page and footprints to give you direction. I wanted to learn about Ancient Greece, how bread dough rose, and how to make puppets. It had the books. Later I read all the Nancy Drew, Little House, and EB White books they had. I read my first creepy book about a girl who abused her dolls only to find herself trapped in the dollhouse with them. That library gave me my start as a reader and researcher.
By the time I was 12, it had moved closer to my home – a 25 minute walk from home/less than 5 minutes from my junior high school – into a big beautiful new building that became my home for the next seven years. Every day after school and Saturdays I was there. I studied. I read. I researched. I tutored. And because I knew every inch of that library, I shelved books people left on carts or on the floor (don't get me started...). The librarians knew me. I think I was as much a fixture for them as the shelves of books. I had my favorite spots to read, to study, to write. I found 19th century and early 20th century gothic literature at that library. The Bronte sisters were my companions during my teenage years. I became a feminist in that library. I fell in love with maps in that library, spending hours poring over the flat files of historic and contemporary maps of my town, county, region, state, country, continent, and beyond. I found art, history, folklore, music, space, science and wildlife biology in that building. It indulged and nurtured an insatiable curiosity about all the things.
The new library was built on the site that eventually became the civic center of the town long after I left at the age of 19. I haven't been back since, but according to Google maps the town finally built the courthouses, public safety and city offices they always planned next to the library. Actually, I don't even recognize my town – it's so big and urban now. But I'll always remember the first little library – how dark and quiet it was inside, the weird textured amber glass next to the front door, the pride I felt when I got my very own library card, and the excitement of a new read. And I'll never forget the place that gave me a sense of safety and security during my pre-teen and teen years and showed me through the books that there was something so much more beautiful and balanced beyond my experience.
Thank you to all the libraries and librarians, writers and publishers, for showing me the way out.
It's an indicator that people understood the importance of the transmission of knowledge to subsequent generations, especially when lives were shorter.
I am a passionate advocate for libraries, as someone who uses them regularly and has worked in them.
They are so important! I value them highly.
Libraries are very important to society and they represent community building unlike any other physical space.
They are such important spaces, and everyone has enriched my life.
Love a library. There's a great one in Chester that has a cafe/bar in the middle of it. Fab place to spend a day.
A cafe in a library... heaven! And Chester is a lovely town too.
If you haven’t already read it, The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a tremendous read. Hint what happened in 1982 that kept the burning down of a famous library off the front pages? Enjoyed your post as usual. X
Thanks for the tip, and the compliment!
Ohhh this brought back so many memories. My mom reading "The Wizard of Oz" to me, one chapter at a time. The time she had to go in to tell my second-grade teacher that no, I wasn't lying, I could and DID read "chapter books" and was to be allowed access to that part of the school library. My beloved local library in the small town where I grew up. My neighbor and friend when I was a child, a seventy-something year old lady who had worked in the NEW YORK CITY LIBRARY back in the day and traveled all over Europe. She'd had the most glamorous life of anyone I knew!
I have such fond memories of libraries. Throughout my life they have always been there for me. Every time I step into one I feel happy.
Let’s celebrate libraries! The first library I remember was the tiny dark little cave of a library nestled between the fire station, the adult education building, and the only Jewish synagogue in my newly established hometown. I was barely 4 years old and to me it was Aladdin’s cave filled with treasures. I still remember the first book I checked out about a goose named Petunia. I thought that library had everything. I wanted to learn to dance, and it had books that taught you how, complete with dotted lines that swirled across the page and footprints to give you direction. I wanted to learn about Ancient Greece, how bread dough rose, and how to make puppets. It had the books. Later I read all the Nancy Drew, Little House, and EB White books they had. I read my first creepy book about a girl who abused her dolls only to find herself trapped in the dollhouse with them. That library gave me my start as a reader and researcher.
By the time I was 12, it had moved closer to my home – a 25 minute walk from home/less than 5 minutes from my junior high school – into a big beautiful new building that became my home for the next seven years. Every day after school and Saturdays I was there. I studied. I read. I researched. I tutored. And because I knew every inch of that library, I shelved books people left on carts or on the floor (don't get me started...). The librarians knew me. I think I was as much a fixture for them as the shelves of books. I had my favorite spots to read, to study, to write. I found 19th century and early 20th century gothic literature at that library. The Bronte sisters were my companions during my teenage years. I became a feminist in that library. I fell in love with maps in that library, spending hours poring over the flat files of historic and contemporary maps of my town, county, region, state, country, continent, and beyond. I found art, history, folklore, music, space, science and wildlife biology in that building. It indulged and nurtured an insatiable curiosity about all the things.
The new library was built on the site that eventually became the civic center of the town long after I left at the age of 19. I haven't been back since, but according to Google maps the town finally built the courthouses, public safety and city offices they always planned next to the library. Actually, I don't even recognize my town – it's so big and urban now. But I'll always remember the first little library – how dark and quiet it was inside, the weird textured amber glass next to the front door, the pride I felt when I got my very own library card, and the excitement of a new read. And I'll never forget the place that gave me a sense of safety and security during my pre-teen and teen years and showed me through the books that there was something so much more beautiful and balanced beyond my experience.
Thank you to all the libraries and librarians, writers and publishers, for showing me the way out.
A beautiful tribute! Thanks for sharing! ❤️
Fascinating. Who knew libraries went back that far.
It's an indicator that people understood the importance of the transmission of knowledge to subsequent generations, especially when lives were shorter.