We had a good town library when I was a kid, with an atmosphere all its own. It was in the downstairs part of the old 2-story telephone building on the highway. [V.R.], a nice lady, was the librarian. (I realized much later that she wrote poetry. One of our former ministers put her poetry into book form, and had it published, many years after this lady had passed away.) [I'm happy to say I have a couple of copies, one that was Mom's, and one that was Grandma W.'s. Treasures indeed!]
This library had a smell all its own, which I guess was just the books. Mom would take me there every so often. I can still remember riding to town with her in the summer, in a hot, hot car with the windows rolled down. I think we usually went on a Saturday.
Now, I know "books are our friends," and they can really expand our horizons. But as a kid, I kind of had severe tunnel vision as to what books I'd check out. Mostly I remember checking out nothing but THE BOBSEY TWINS. Then, as I got older I kept checking out one certain book about Quarter horses. A whole library full of books, and that's all I remember checking out!
[I'm glad to report that since that time, my interests have expanded, and I read about a lot more than just horses! I really would love to have a LIBRARY ROOM in my home. I'm sure it could be filled! Whenever I moved to college, Dad always dreaded all the books I wanted to take with me. Yes, I am a BONA FIDE bookworm/book nut!]
I LOVE how the library smells!! There is just no other smell like it. Do all librarys smell like that? I haven't been in for a long time. I should do that very soon!
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed that in every library, but that one in earlier Coldwater days just had a very unique "book scent." :)
ReplyDeleteI think I read every book on the south wall of the Protection Library while I was growing up. Bobbsey Twins; Clara Barton, RN; Nancy Drew; Hardy Boys; & many more. And, I still read a lot. My son's family gave me a Kindle, so I no longer have the pages to rustle as I read, but read I do!
ReplyDeleteI have fond memories of that library too. When we first moved to Coldwater the librarian wouldn't let me take more than two books at a time. I was such an avid reader that I would finish them in a couple days and the BEG my dad to take me to town when he went in for coffee. I remember reading a whole series of Sue Barton books about a nurse and also the entire Wizard of Oz series. Who even knew there was a whole series of Wizard of Oz books. When I got older, I was allowed to move over to the adult section, but only after the librarian discussed it with my mother AND she screened what books I checked out to make sure they were appropriate. Like that would happen today!
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot about Kindles, but haven't tried reading on one yet. Maybe I'll check that out sometime. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's interesting about "screening what you read!" Times have changed!