Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Libraries Rock!

I'm writing this post from the most amazing library -- the Downtown Seattle Public Library to be exact. It's a modern highrise building of criss-crossed steel and glass. It feels like a freaking church of books.

And well it should be. The library is where is all began for me. I spent so many hours reading in libraries as a child. I was destined to be a devotee of words.

See, my dad taught at the local high school when I was a junior high student. That meant I drove to his school with him, then walked the five blocks to mine. I was there early -- with the teachers. Ugh.

My only escape was the dusty second floor library, which was populated with Agatha Christie and other writers I loved. Long before the first bell rang, I was poring through mysteries and adventures, bugging the libarian for more authors, finding comfort in the far away situations of fictional characters, putting myself in their shoes.

Someday I'm going to be on the shelf in that old library. Kids will be able to check out my books and escape with me to far away places. That in itself is a reason to write.

Who else can perform that kind of magic? Who else can take others on shared trips in the imagination? Only writers.

So, I can't be the only one in love with libraries...

What was your library like?

8 comments:

TinaFerraro said...

Oh, I am SO with you, Heather. To me, the library was as good as a candy store. And I could never understand why my friends didn't feel the same. I loved the smells, the feel of the soft, worn books, the crisp crinkle of the plastic around the new ones, the card catalogues, the tables where you could sit for hours and read, and the simple fact that there was NO LIMIT on how much you could take out. Heaven. And what I'd do now for all that unfettered time so I could read that much again...

Tina

www.tinaferraro.com

Dona Sarkar-Mishra said...

Man, oh, man, my favorite day of the week used to be Wednesdays. That was the day my mom took me and my sister to the libaray to get books. The gorgeous and stunning Detroit Public Library was an absolute becon in the middle of the ghetto.

I used to get 10 books at a time, finish off two of them that night alone and savor the rest like T-bone steak :)

I miss those days.

Simone Elkeles said...

I remember taking piles of books out of the library when I was a kid, I couldn't believe they let you check out an unlimited amount of books. I wasn't a huge reader when I was a teen, but the books I did pick up mesmerized me. I remember the high school library being a place I could browse forever. My library in my hometown was a great place to study, I used to go there when I had a big test.
~Simone
How to Ruin a Summer Vacation available NOW!

Simone Elkeles said...

Kim,

I think most of us have books coming out in 2007. Am I right? Everyone list your books and the release dates for Kim!

~Simone

stephhale said...

Hey Kim~
Thanks for reading and commenting! :) My first YA novel, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, is coming out in July 2007 from Berkley Jam! Friend me if you want. www.myspace.com/stephhale

As for libraries, I live in a very small town, pop. 1200. This is the same town that I grew up in. We have a pretty tiny library and I'm pretty sure a prerequisite to work there is that you are one of the meanest, nastiest, people on earth. I hate being like that, but the librarians were horrible when I was younger and they are still horrible. I've really been trying with them in the last few years. They used to be really old when I was small so it was sort of understandable, but now there are two that are in their early 20's and they are just as nasty as the seventy year olds. I've told each one of them that I have a book coming out and they just stand there looking at me like I'm an idiot. Not one has asked me the title or when it comes out, or ANYTHING about it. When I got the cover I said that if they wanted to see it they could check out my myspace page and when I rattled off the address no one moved an inch towards a pen and paper. I know what you're thinking, bitter much? I guess I am because I was really looking forward to talking with students in my immediate community about writing, but I've decided I'm done with my library. A person can only take so much humiliation. Man, they are gonna be so sorry when they figure out what a big deal I'm going to be! :)
On a happier note, I have found a wonderful library with librarians who rock about ten minutes away. They have been more than kind to let me write there and have been more than enthusiastic about my book. So please librarians don't think I am ripping on all of you just the ones in my community. As you can tell this is a sore subject because I just wonder how children have been turned off on the magic of books because of some nasty look or comment one of these librarians gave them. Luckily, I went through other avenues to get my book fix when I was younger, I just hope these kids do too.

TinaFerraro said...

Hi Kim,

My book, TOP TEN USES FOR AN UNWORN PROM DRESS, is coming out on Feb. 13, 2007. It's got a pretty pink cover, and my heart and soul poured into it! :)

I'd love it if you (and all our blog readers) checked it out.

Tina

www.tinaferraro.com

stephhale said...

Tina~

The day before V-Day! How precious is that? I've been waiting to read your book for SO long!

xo,
Steph

Marley Gibson said...

Hey Kim! Thanks for reading! I think I have one of the longest waits here -- no wait, Tera Lynn comes out after me -- but all four of my books in my sorority girls series will be out in 2008. The first two (still waiting on titles) will be out in the Spring of 08, the third in the Summer of 08 and the fourth in the Fall of 08. Don't worry...I'll keep reminding you about them! LOL!!

Marley = )
http://www.marleygibson.com