Libraries

I have always loved libraries. Not sure why. But I do remember the excitement and fun of borrowing a book or books. I guess I grew up in a family that encouraged reading and learning but we didn't spend our money on buying books. And of course there was no internet and shopping was a big deal- you didn't run out to buy something just because you could or you wanted that item. Shopping malls weren't as plentiful- we had shopping plazas- strips of stores. Pretty ugly by today's standards. Anyway, I loved spending time in libraries. And still do. And I think I have instilled the love of reading in my two children who love to spend my / their money on buying books. One of the criteria when looking at colleges was checking out the library and was it any good, was the building beautiful (both inside and outside). Pictured is the library at Vassar College when my son was a student. Beautiful right? While today's libraries offer many new and different services from those of my childhood they are still a place of refuge, and learning and excitement. Books on tape, videos, computer services, inter-library loaning, online ordering and reserving and renewal ( I LOVE online searches and renewals!). This article that appeared in The Guardian by Neil Gaiman really resonated with me. Hopefully you will be able to open it. He gets libraries. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming