I grew up in a small northern Michigan town with a small public library. I remember the library so vividly, the smell, the dark damp basement where the children's area was located with benches and murals on the wall. It was beautiful to me. So quiet.
Yesterday, while I was stocking up on Melissa Stewart non-fiction books for an author study, I was reminded of my first library card. I don't remember how old I was but it was definitely a big deal.
Library Card
The counter high
On tip toe
My fingers graze the edge.
Feeling a surge
Independence
Many new worlds ahead.
Later today I was thinking about this little poem, my love of words and I was reminded of this video my sister shared with me. It is a beautiful little film. If you haven't seen it, then check it out. It is well worth watching.
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Ah, yes. The library! My library didn't give out cards...they just listed people in the computer by name. I remember it was a little disappointing to me. I sure loved the library though! I remember the day I realized I had read every book on two different shelves in the children's area. I was young but I remember clearly the sense of accomplishment and love of books that I had. I still love them but it is SO much harder to find the time to read!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me of something that happened with one of my students. I used to teach adult literacy classes, and I remember one student's powerful response to visiting the library for the first time. She was in her mid-fifties and had been in class for about six months. She sat at one of the reading tables with tears in her eyes. She told us that she never thought she'd be allowed in a library, that it felt good just to be seated at that table. She broke my heart. She also made me more fully appreciate all of the time I'd spent in libraries both as a child and as an adult. I don't know that I ever took that time for granted, but I certainly didn't know it could have the same weight it did for my student.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a special thing, I guess thanks to Benjamin Franklin! I'm grateful we don't have to hide books that we own as people must in other countries. I grew up in a small town too & we had the Bookmobile come. I loved it, taking out as many books as allowed. Thanks for bringing back the memories, Betsy. And I've seen the Flying Books before; it's marvelous!
ReplyDeleteThe smell, the basement --- the children's section. You took me back to my grandparent's small town and the summer afternoons I spent in the library there. It is a beautiful building that is still used and cherished by the town.
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