In Praise Of Libraries
The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library. - - Albert Einstein
Books are hindrances to persisting stupidity. - - Spanish proverb
A truly great library has something in it to offend everyone. - - Jo Godwin
On Thursdays I pick up Luna from kindergarten and we go to the library before we get a snack and go home. She just received her first library card in the mail.
Each week she selects five books and before bedtime I usually read two books to her. I did this when Fiona was little although back then we read three books. Fiona has become a life long reader and I’m hoping that Luna will as well.
It is taking longer every night to read to Luna as she keeps stopping me and asks for help with some of the words. She is practicing sounding out words for her own reading. It’s pretty terrific watching her mind work as she sounds out words.
When I was a kid my mother used to take my sisters and I to the library a couple times a month. It was the main branch in downtown. I still remember going into the ”juvenile” room, (I think that’s what they called it?) and I could hang out in there for hours. I would grab a big pile of books and check them out with my very own library card.
Learning to read was the best. I have always said it was my fifth grade teacher that instilled a love of reading in me, but I remember being even younger and checking out lots of books. My parents were readers through out their lives, I think they set a great example.
Once you learn to read you will be forever free. - - Frederick Douglas
A few weeks ago I was looking for something to watch when I stumbled across a documentary from American Masters on You Tube. It was on Art Spiegelman. I know of him and his work ,but I realized I was unfamiliar with any of his work. I am embarrassed to say I had never read Maus. I kept telling myself I’d get to it but somehow I never did.
So before Luna had I had our weekly library visit I went on line and put a hold on Maus so I could pick it up when we were there. I also decided that I would probably need something a bit lighter as well, so I also put a hold on The Wind In The Willows, another book I should have read much sooner.
Maus was everything I had heard about and more. Truly an amazing book. For those like me who know about it, but haven’t read it, READ IT! I understand why people might have been upset at the time. A graphic novel about the Holocaust and the use of mice as characters, but within the first chapter I was all in on the concept and more importantly, on the characters and the story. Ultimately I think it was a brilliant way to tell this story.
Once finished, I set it down and just stayed in my chair for quite a while, thinking about it. To me, that’s the sign of a great book, when I don’t want to get out of my chair right away.
And yes, balancing it with, The Wind In The Willows, was the right move, although I finished Maus long before I finished, The Wind In The Willows. In fact I’m still reading and enjoying it. I am loving the characters of Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad. I can vividly see each of them in my mind. I can’t believe I hadn’t read it when I was younger, but you know what? I’m glad I didn’t because I am enjoying it so much now.
"I really didn't realize the librarians were, you know, such a dangerous group. They are subversive. You think they're just sitting there at the desk, all quiet and everything. They're like, plotting the revolution, man. I wouldn't mess with them." -- Michael Moore
When I read, or hear, about people who want to ban books and even close down libraries I get quite angry. If there are books that you don’t want to read, don’t. If you think there are books that others shouldn’t read, that’s not your call.
For me, the library is a trusted place that will expose me to so many different things. And it’s not just about research and facts. The library holds so many books that can help us escape our daily lives. I love reading about places I’ve never been to, both non-fiction and fiction. I love meeting new characters from other walks of life.
Last night, as I was reading The Wind In The Willows, and thinking about the different characters and their homes, it felt real. My imagination recognized these animals as individuals having conversations and adventures, like I might have with my own friends.
Libraries are extremely important and you don’t have to have money to get maximum use out of them. You just have to go there. I love the fact that libraries are still quiet spaces, except the kids room of course… Open yourself up to the experience. Learn about the world around you.
When I look back, I see how important libraries have been in my own development as a person, a writer, and a filmmaker.
I can't believe it! Reading and writing actually paid off! - - Matt Groening, The Simpsons
I hope that Luna will have a similar experience. When I see how excited she gets when it’s Thursday, I think she’s going to be a life long reader as well. And that makes me happy.
Thank you all for reading, subscribing, and supporting me and my writing.
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Did I ever tell you about the time I took a really late night walk with my "new" dog Mickey and we got followed by a couple of coyotes? It's not that I was scared... I was wondering what Mickey was going to do about it.
This is from my book of short stories, From Arrah Wanna To Mule Shoe, Misfit Stories from Misspent Lives. It also features stories by Mark A. Nobles.
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