Libraries I Have Loved
February 04, 2019 |
| Photo by Susan Yin on Unsplash |
“What else is a library, but a temple of truth? What other
function do books have, the great ones, but to change the reader? Books to
comfort. But most of all, books to disturb you forward.”
—Harry’s Trees, Jon Cohen
February is Library Lovers’ Month, and today I want to pay
tribute to libraries I have loved and sing the praises of an institution that
has made my life infinitely better.
The first library I remember is the Pasadena Public Library
where I went with my mother and on field trips as a child. Once I remember laughing uncontrollably (but quietly) with my
best friend, Julie, when we
happened upon the name Wyatt Earp in a book—the name struck us as being
hysterically funny. When I wasn’t laughing at names, I was earnestly checking out books from the children’s section, coming home with as many as I could carry.
As an adult working for a magazine for teenagers, I also
used the Pasadena library for books to use as references or to fact check
articles I was editing. Oh, the days before the Internet!
As a teenager I haunted my public library in Lakewood, spending hours wandering through the books, making discoveries or reading old favorites (Judy Blume, Erle Stanley Gardner, Agatha Christie). My mom
and I visited regularly together, but sometimes I’d walk there on my own. I once tried to get a job at that library,
but was so shy I couldn’t manage a coherent follow up to my application. (If I weren’t a writer, I’d work in a library. And I don't rule it out in the future!)
My current local library is invaluable to me—even with the
Internet at my fingertips, I use books for education, entertainment,
inspiration, and research, and I’ve attended free talks and workshops there. I
still consider it a miracle that we can borrow books (paper, e-books and
audio books), music, magazines, and movies for free. I would go broke if
I bought every book I read. Thank you, public library. (Check out “What’s Your
Library Worth?” here.)
In addition to lending books and other media, most public
libraries also host educational programs, serve as polling places on Election
Day, and provide many more community services. “At the core of public library
service is the belief in free access to information—that no one should be denied
information because he or she cannot afford the cost of a book, a periodical, a
Web site or access to information in any of its various formats,” according to
ilovelibraries.org.
The library is one of my happy places, and I want to spend
more time there this year. I’ve gotten into the habit of placing holds on
books, then just running in and picking them up. On a good day, I’ll spend a
few extra minutes in the library bookstore. I miss soaking in the library’s (to
me) peaceful-yet-exciting atmosphere. Perhaps I’m due for an afternoon spent
wandering the aisles and exploring the shelves—a true simple pleasure.
If you haven’t been to the library recently, why not pay it
a visit?
Do you have any favorite memories of libraries?
3 comments
Kathy hats off to this post. The library is certainly one of my most happiest places. Hubby and I often spend a quiet Sat. afternoon either at one library or another. What a blessing to have such a rich resource. When I was growing up - in the summer Mom would take us every two weeks and we would check out bunches of books for those hot lazy afternoons. Hope you get that afternoon soon to browse those aisles. Have a lovely day. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDebbie--So nice that you share your love of libraries with your husband. I am truly grateful for all the library has meant to me over the years, and hope libraries will remain free and open forever.
DeleteYes, memories of libraries, Kathy, but too many and deep to share in this little note. I loved them so much that I ended up working in them...I still do art workshops and have art shows in libraries. It does go back to childhood, and my library in my teen years was incredibly important in my life.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rita