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Aug
21
BTT: Library Memories
2008 at 8am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
Today’s question: Whether you usually read off of your own book pile or from the library shelves NOW, chances are you started off with trips to the library. (There’s no way my parents could otherwise have kept up with my book habit when I was 10.) So … What is your earliest memory of a library? Who took you? Do you have you any funny/odd memories of the library?
Like Booksplease, who inspired this week’s BTT question, I have always been an avid reader, and even though my parents bought me a ton of books, there’s no way I could have stayed occupied and well-read without the assistance of our local librarians. Our regular trips to the library were the highlight of my week, and though I no longer remember what their limit was, I know I always took out as many books as I could (or as many as I could carry).
Around first or second grade, I went through a phase where I was obsessed with books about animals, and our library had this great series (I wish I could remember what it was called, but all I know is that the covers were sky blue) in which each book presented photographs and factual information about a different animal. Penguins, pigs, cows, three-toed sloths–you name it, they had a book about it. I think these were the first nonfiction books I ever read, and ever since, I’ve loved researching and learning about new pieces of the world because, to quote a Discovery Channel commercial, the world is just awesome.
I don’t have any funny or odd library memories from childhood, though I’m sure some funny things happened in the many years that I made those weekly trips. I’m tempted to email my mom and ask her what she remembers. I do, however, have wonderful adult memories from the library because, as I mentioned in yesterday’s post (complete with photos), I got married in one this past January!
This is the front of the Kansas City Public Library, , one of my favorite places ever.
And here’s a detail shot of my red wedding shoes (thank you, Kenneth Cole!) that got so much buzz yesterday.
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How did I miss those shoes yesterday???
Very nice library, too!
When I was little I was really into reading about animals, too. Probably also my first real nonfiction experience. I remember doing a lot of that on the computer, though, with various CD-ROM encyclopedias.
Whoa! Those shoes are gorgeous!
Love the library! And the shoes are pretty!!
My earliest memory of a library, sadly, was that we had none. I lived in a rural area in southern Ohio and our nearest public library was in another state. My parents weren’t readers so there were no trips into West Virginia to take us to the library; essentially, I lived in literary poverty. It wasn’t until I started school that I had my first encounter with a real library. I was hooked from that point on. I distinctly remember that the pending close of the school year each May brought elation among my classmates. Conversely, I would become depressed and actually cry because I knew that it meant three long summer months with no books. Thankfully, the middle school librarian came to the rescue and told me about a mail order library sponsored by our county. You received a post card in the mail, you made your selections (I think you could get up to three books at a time) and then you waited for them to arrive in the mail. Best yet, my parents couldn’t say no because it was absolutely free. That was the best summer of my life!
Amazing library…LOVE the shoes!! My shoe obession is right up there with books. Close, but not the same.
Anyway, I’ve been going to the library as long as I can remember. I always signed up for the summer reading programs and I looked forward to receiving my summer reading list.
Each trip to the library, I picked really big, thick books to read. That’s how I found Gone With the Wind at age 13! Also, I always maxed out on the maxium books allowable. I had a bit of a problem keeping the late fines under control.
Luckily, now that I’m an adult, I belong to a library with no limit on books checked out, and no book fines!
You got married in a Library! That is awesome. Congrats!
I think you’ve made a wonderful library memory as an adult!
Love the idea of a library wedding – now I must go see the photos you posted yesterday
Wow, those are some great shoes!! I have three pairs of red shoes myself. It’s my favorite color to wear.
The picture of the library is quite nice too.
Like the others who posted before me, I love those shoes! That’s such a great color!
I think it’s great to have good memories of the library from your childhood. I work at a library, and I always try to make the visit as fun as possible for the kids.
I have to chime in on the shoe love. I don’t have a pair of red heels, but now I want one.
My brother used to like those kids’ non-fiction books. I was never interested, although I like non-fiction now!
Wow…It’s such a beautiful library. My library is kind of a large one room shop. No imagination there.
Ooh, what a gorgeous library.
Violet: Most of the other libraries in the Kansas City area (where I grew up) are pretty plain, one-large-room deals…this building was originally the downtown bank and was just renovated into the library several years (and several million dollars) ago.
although i lived in kansas for roughly 24 years, and have frequented many libraries (mostly joco), i have never been to the library where you got married. sad, huh? i don’t think i’ve ever even seen it. it looks gorgeous.
my mom used to take me to the library all the time. i don’t know if i have one favorite memory, but i remember going to lots of the activities and camps that were held at the various branches. when i was in high school, i volunteered for those very same events. i remember what a huge deal it was when the shawnee branch opened on johnson drive, and then a few years later the central branch opened on 87th street. those were my two favorites. i think i can count on two hands the number of times i went into the library at northwest. the new one was pretty nice, though. there are tons of libraries in san diego, but they tend to be really hit-or-miss. the one nearest to my house is tiny. i prefer to pretend that borders is the library and my credit card is a fancy-looking library card. it works fine…until i get the bill.
[...] Today’s question: Whether you usually read off of your own book pile or from the library shelves NOW, chances are you started off with trips to the library. (There’s no way my parents could otherwise have kept up with my book habit when I was 10.) So … What is your earliest memory of a library? Who took you? Do you have you any funny/odd memories of the library? Like Booksplease, who inspired this week’s BTT question, I have always been an avid reader, and even though my parents bought me a Source: http://rjsbooklady.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/btt-library-memories/ [...]
[...] pleasure summer TV shows and posted a few photos from my library wedding, and Thursday I shared favorite library memories and a few more photos. Yesterday, I borrowed the Book Brahmins questionnaire from Shelf Awareness [...]
[...] waxed nostalgic about the library before, and I do have great memories of visiting the library as a kid and piling [...]