I am grateful for libraries, these amazing hubs of knowledge accessible to the whole community. I only hope that they do not keep closing.
Throughout my childhood we were fortunate enough to have a library just a ten minute walk away. I clearly remember the large wooden tubs of books, little red chairs, Gumdrop books by Val Biro, prickly carpet on my bum and a librarian that looked like Windy Miller from Camberwick Green. (This was the 80's) In the days before the Internet, photocopying sections of huge dusty encyclopedias was the norm for your school projects. The library expanded conveniently when I was 12 to introduce a special area for Young Adults to meet, chat and play computer games on a top of the range Commodore *giggles*. I was given my first taste of independence and allowed to go just with friends. It became a more social place and less stereotypically silent. Thank you Coppice Avenue library for creating a bibliophile and for stocking all of the Sweet Valley High series.
Libraries offer the opportunity for all to educate, they provide entertainment and encourage community spirit. My local library is always jam packed with people using the computer suite, all manner of clubs and societies gather, there are activities for children and new artists showcase their work in the lobby. It's one of my favourite places.
However, I walk in last week and see an automated machine being installed. This saddens me. I hear of libraries being closed all over the country and it horrifies me. Little Bird and I love browsing around, choosing books and joining in with Rhyme Time. Seeing his chubby fingers clutching a Bookstart Bookcrawl certificate makes me so proud. Thank you library for providing my son with an ongoing supply of books whilst I'm on a strict budget, for sheltering me from the howling wind and rain from time to time and for hopefully encouraging him to love books too.
This is my entry for The Gallery: I'm grateful for.....
7 comments:
We are lucky to have libraries aren't they, we had to fight on the Wirral 2 years ago to keep a lot open here!
I have been a big library-goer all my life and would miss the variety of books to be found there if our local one closed down.
I love taking my daughter to the library ,she joined at only 4 months old!
My mum would take me and my brother every Tuesday as small children. I remember sitting on little blue plastic chairs and being allowed to choose three books each. I don't know why but we would always get the giggles when someone coughed loudly.
And so say all of us! Shame on any one who sanctions closing them
I remember childhood trips to the library very clearly though I don;t think ours was quite so teenage friendly as yours was! I remember the Sweet valley High Series too though.
great post! :D xx
I love libraries!! I don't really borrow a lot of books myself at the moment but my two year old loves it there!! I have such happy childhood memories of trips to the library. I would be absolutely devasted if our local one shut down.
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