The library was my best friend as a kid. I remember checking out several books each week and reading all of them. I don't think it ever occurred to us to buy a book. We weren't as poor as you guys, but we didn't have any extra for books, that I do know. And what a lifesaver they were.
I went to my local library when I first learned to read. I systematically read through every book on each shelf of the children's section. Now I download books from my local libraries ever since my husband bought my first e-reader. He got tired of looking at all the library books piled next to the bed!
What a sweet reminder. I bought so many books the past couple of years to support author I "met" here on Substack. Authors whose work should be in my local library. I just brought in a big stack of once-read hardcovers. Maybe they keep them; maybe they sell them. Either way, they will get into fresh hands!
When I was in grade school, we were no where near a library and I was such a voracious reader, that I went through the entire library of our small school within a few months. My savior was the lady who drove the bookmobile that came through our little town every couple weeks. I believe her name was Donna. You could only check out 5 books at a time and after talking with my teacher who was also visiting me one day, she asked if my Mom liked books; perhaps I could check some out for, and then for my dad and maybe some for my brothers and sisters. She made sure I had all the books I could read and would even set back new ones she thought I might like. That lady in many ways made me who I am and educated me in ways way beyond classrooms and introduced me to things I may never been exposed to without her love and caring. The whole world is waiting for you in books and you just have to open them up.
I was a voracious reader as a child, and to this day I prefer to borrow books rather than buy them (but I do buy yours, Toby!). I have such fond memories of graduating to the adult section upstairs at my hometown library in the 70s! My son and DIL gave me a Kindle a few years ago and didn't think I'd use it much (I do like the feel of a real book), but when I discovered I can use it to borrow ebooks online at our library, it was life-changing. Now I don't need to mail boxes of books home while on vacation.
When my parents could not find me and it was dinner time, they would call the library (using the phone in my grandparents apartment a floor down from ours). All the librarians knew me and could tell me that it was time to go home. But when I was 11 we moved to a bigger apartment (with hot water and a bathtub!), so going to the library required a longish bike ride. It now also competed with soccer, shortwave radio, and running the sports club for our neighborhood.
I was a librarian in a middle school for 28 years. Countywide media specialists were tasked with supporting the curriculum with resources, integrating technology campuswide and helping our teachers develop interdisciplinary units. Add that to the daily challenge of finding the right books to awaken a love of reading in each and every student. Nothing better than a kid saying, "Do you have other books like this one?" What does that take to accomplish? Knowing your collection, building a relationship with each kid and really listening to what interests them. More than once, a book changed the course of a student's life. Best job ever.
Yes, places of solace ... and inspiration. I am with you on this. Libraries comfort me, always. And like you I was taken there often as a kid in a family that didn't buy much, but did read much. By the way your photo reminds me of a happy day in the Honoka'a Library near our Hamakua land in early 2017 ... when I saw a shelf full of Toby Neal crime mysteries, front and center. As they should be!
I have such good memories with libraries. During and after WWII we lived in Odessa, TX. On Saturdays, my twin and I would take the bus downtown to a movie matinee and then the library. We had a large, brown grocery bag with books to return and then refill to take home our treasures, the books from the library.
Then when my husband was in graduate school in Austin our big night out was Wednesday. We got Burger Chef hamburgers and fries for the kids and us, only 15 cents each, then off to the library with another big, brown grocery bag for the children to fill with their books.
Now I mainly use elibraries, three different libraries from three different cities as our town does not have much in theirs.
I too grew up reading books from the library. We had a small branch that I could walk to. One of my favorite days was getting my library card. I'm still love reading.
I loved my library in Dinuba, California when I was a kid in the '50s and '60s. I visited it often and took as many books as I was allowed each time. I took piano lessons just a block away, so when i finished early, my mom always knew where she could find me. I have had a library card in every town we've ever lived. Now that I can access everything on line, I rarely go, but when I do, there is a sense of coming home, a place where I feel calm and safe.
The library was my best friend as a kid. I remember checking out several books each week and reading all of them. I don't think it ever occurred to us to buy a book. We weren't as poor as you guys, but we didn't have any extra for books, that I do know. And what a lifesaver they were.
Such a lifesaver! 🌺
I went to my local library when I first learned to read. I systematically read through every book on each shelf of the children's section. Now I download books from my local libraries ever since my husband bought my first e-reader. He got tired of looking at all the library books piled next to the bed!
What a sweet reminder. I bought so many books the past couple of years to support author I "met" here on Substack. Authors whose work should be in my local library. I just brought in a big stack of once-read hardcovers. Maybe they keep them; maybe they sell them. Either way, they will get into fresh hands!
Great way to reuse and recycle!
When I was in grade school, we were no where near a library and I was such a voracious reader, that I went through the entire library of our small school within a few months. My savior was the lady who drove the bookmobile that came through our little town every couple weeks. I believe her name was Donna. You could only check out 5 books at a time and after talking with my teacher who was also visiting me one day, she asked if my Mom liked books; perhaps I could check some out for, and then for my dad and maybe some for my brothers and sisters. She made sure I had all the books I could read and would even set back new ones she thought I might like. That lady in many ways made me who I am and educated me in ways way beyond classrooms and introduced me to things I may never been exposed to without her love and caring. The whole world is waiting for you in books and you just have to open them up.
What a fabulous story! Thanks for sharing it!
I was a voracious reader as a child, and to this day I prefer to borrow books rather than buy them (but I do buy yours, Toby!). I have such fond memories of graduating to the adult section upstairs at my hometown library in the 70s! My son and DIL gave me a Kindle a few years ago and didn't think I'd use it much (I do like the feel of a real book), but when I discovered I can use it to borrow ebooks online at our library, it was life-changing. Now I don't need to mail boxes of books home while on vacation.
Thanks for supporting my work, Laura! It means the world.
When my parents could not find me and it was dinner time, they would call the library (using the phone in my grandparents apartment a floor down from ours). All the librarians knew me and could tell me that it was time to go home. But when I was 11 we moved to a bigger apartment (with hot water and a bathtub!), so going to the library required a longish bike ride. It now also competed with soccer, shortwave radio, and running the sports club for our neighborhood.
Great story, Peter! Love it
I was a librarian in a middle school for 28 years. Countywide media specialists were tasked with supporting the curriculum with resources, integrating technology campuswide and helping our teachers develop interdisciplinary units. Add that to the daily challenge of finding the right books to awaken a love of reading in each and every student. Nothing better than a kid saying, "Do you have other books like this one?" What does that take to accomplish? Knowing your collection, building a relationship with each kid and really listening to what interests them. More than once, a book changed the course of a student's life. Best job ever.
Yes!
Yes, places of solace ... and inspiration. I am with you on this. Libraries comfort me, always. And like you I was taken there often as a kid in a family that didn't buy much, but did read much. By the way your photo reminds me of a happy day in the Honoka'a Library near our Hamakua land in early 2017 ... when I saw a shelf full of Toby Neal crime mysteries, front and center. As they should be!
I have such good memories with libraries. During and after WWII we lived in Odessa, TX. On Saturdays, my twin and I would take the bus downtown to a movie matinee and then the library. We had a large, brown grocery bag with books to return and then refill to take home our treasures, the books from the library.
Then when my husband was in graduate school in Austin our big night out was Wednesday. We got Burger Chef hamburgers and fries for the kids and us, only 15 cents each, then off to the library with another big, brown grocery bag for the children to fill with their books.
Now I mainly use elibraries, three different libraries from three different cities as our town does not have much in theirs.
I love libraries. What a treasure of information. CWoods
Books are a lifeline to/for everything! Very precious things!
you made me cry and laugh! good job.
This makes my ❤️ happy!
❤️💞💕
I too grew up reading books from the library. We had a small branch that I could walk to. One of my favorite days was getting my library card. I'm still love reading.
It starts early doesn't it, Marie?
I loved my library in Dinuba, California when I was a kid in the '50s and '60s. I visited it often and took as many books as I was allowed each time. I took piano lessons just a block away, so when i finished early, my mom always knew where she could find me. I have had a library card in every town we've ever lived. Now that I can access everything on line, I rarely go, but when I do, there is a sense of coming home, a place where I feel calm and safe.
Yes! 🙌🏻 thanks for sharing!