Reading
about the redevelopment of one of our main libraries gladdened my heart.
Redevelopment
is always better news than closure and demolition.
My
local library has always held a special place in my heart. I grew up in the
city: the urban jungle of grime and crime, graffiti, pollution, concrete,
asphalt, glass and steel, and the libraries were my oasis of calm amid the
chaos.
I was there often to reference textbooks and complete school homework assignments.
It was
also the only place available when I needed papers photocopied.
From my
teens onward, when attending reading and creative writing groups, our meetings
were held in one of the library quiet rooms.
Other times, I just hung out. I enjoyed the warmth, the comfortable easy chairs, browsing the shelves, the quiet, the calm and consideration of other patrons who read and studied in silence. I came to love the library, where I’d spend hours in a comfortable alcove, escaping into a novel, or scribbling away, lost in my own writing projects.
The library is a peaceful place; perfect for anyone who loves to read and wants to study.
We need
libraries in society.
It
saddens me to learn of any library closure.
It
saddens me more to hear of people who don’t make use of their local library.
It
saddens me even more to hear of people who don’t even pick up a book.
They
don’t know what they’re missing.
The
value of books is immeasurable. I got into reading early in life: comic books
and novels got me hooked into stories. The magic worked my imagination and took
me to other worlds. Adventures played out in my mind. I saw the world through
other eyes and experiences, and all I had to do to achieve this was … read a
book.
The library offers other benefits to a community: it can serve as the venue and social hub for various meeting groups, providing events and activities for all ages. It’s also there for anyone looking to start a business, or needing advice.
The
library should be valued and preserved as the heart of a community.
Computers
are common-place now; many of us carry one around in our pocket every day.
Douglas Adams’ vision of the portable electronic guide book: The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was
realized. Not everyone can afford a computer, but the library provides access,
and courses on how to get up to speed and become a proficient computer operator.
Before
the Internet, the library was my foundation of research, and even in this
electronic age, the library is still a valuable – and sadly under-valued –
resource center.
Preserve
the library … the haven of literature and learning … join your local library …
be an active member … use this precious resource … and don’t let us lose it!
All of
that knowledge to attain …
All
those stories to enjoy …
It’s
all there for you … in the local library.
The
majority of it is FREE!
Does it
get any better than that?
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