library love
I have loved libraries all my life. When I was a kid, going to the public library was a rare treat. For some reason (parent reluctance, distance, irregular schedules) I didn't go often. Thankfully the parochial school I attended had a substantial library stocked with all the classics. My parents also went regularly to thrift stores (before it was cool) and I got a lot of used books that way. The local mall also had a couple of bookstores we frequented (B. Dalton and Waldenbooks). So even though the public library wasn't a regular feature of my life, books were a constant. When I went to high school the school library was also pretty generously stocked so the public library was for more scandalous books like Victoria Holt romances.
It wasn't until I got to college that I started going to the public library regularly. Yes, as a UC Berkeley student with access to 27 (!!!) libraries, many of which were beautiful buildings with gorgeous interiors (Morrison Library), I went to the local public library for my pop culture reading fix.
And then I moved to Washington DC, a city where libraries are awarded architecture prizes, where the city librarian wins an architecture award, and where the Library of Congress is located. Library heaven! The main library has a slide and rooftop garden! The library holds concerts and readings! They have a collection devoted to Go-Go music and punk!
To sweeten matters, in grad school I had access to the whole Johns Hopkins University system ("only" 11 libraries). Whenever I'd pick up a book (or books) the library assistants would cluster around the check-out desk to see what I'd gotten since I always had the most interesting choices. (From Housewife to Heretic garnered a lot of curiosity from the staff.) The grad school library was also the place where I would hide to weep since I was so stressed out.
The library system in Little Rock also saved my sanity. I read Hillary Clinton's biography and could understand why she preferred the university bustle of Fayetteville to mellow Little Rock. I re-read all of Jane Austen's works, watched all the adaptations on library DVDs, and read all about her and her life. The library kept my mind occupied while adjusting to life in the US and waiting for M to join me.
Once Z joined us the library continued to be a place to visit on weekends, to wander around or to hang out in the adjoining playground, or to attend story time or a holiday activity. So it was a thrill to be part of their campaign.
Zacky
Zacky and me
A Love Letter to Libraries, Long Overdue (gift link)
It wasn't until I got to college that I started going to the public library regularly. Yes, as a UC Berkeley student with access to 27 (!!!) libraries, many of which were beautiful buildings with gorgeous interiors (Morrison Library), I went to the local public library for my pop culture reading fix.
And then I moved to Washington DC, a city where libraries are awarded architecture prizes, where the city librarian wins an architecture award, and where the Library of Congress is located. Library heaven! The main library has a slide and rooftop garden! The library holds concerts and readings! They have a collection devoted to Go-Go music and punk!
To sweeten matters, in grad school I had access to the whole Johns Hopkins University system ("only" 11 libraries). Whenever I'd pick up a book (or books) the library assistants would cluster around the check-out desk to see what I'd gotten since I always had the most interesting choices. (From Housewife to Heretic garnered a lot of curiosity from the staff.) The grad school library was also the place where I would hide to weep since I was so stressed out.
The library system in Little Rock also saved my sanity. I read Hillary Clinton's biography and could understand why she preferred the university bustle of Fayetteville to mellow Little Rock. I re-read all of Jane Austen's works, watched all the adaptations on library DVDs, and read all about her and her life. The library kept my mind occupied while adjusting to life in the US and waiting for M to join me.
Once Z joined us the library continued to be a place to visit on weekends, to wander around or to hang out in the adjoining playground, or to attend story time or a holiday activity. So it was a thrill to be part of their campaign.
Zacky
Zacky and me
A Love Letter to Libraries, Long Overdue (gift link)