February was a tough month for me. Since the wrap of “NOS4A2,” I’ve been plagued with rejection letters and car troubles, which lead to too many days feeling down and locking myself in my room or under the covers. But March is here and my car troubles are over! Still on the job hunt, but aside from that I feel refreshed and excited about life and embarking on creative projects.
Trying to be in better control of my finances, I decided it was time to do more computer related work at the library instead of at a coffee shop. Initially I intended to go to the Rhode Island College library because even though I hadn’t stepped into it in almost 3 years, it was still the library I knew best. However, en route I hit the dreaded RIC traffic and remembered how horrendous parking has always been and turned the car around. I instead to chose to go to a different local library, just a town and probably not even 10 minutes away.
I felt my jaw tense as I slowly walked up the steps of the entrance. The double doors were covered in flyers ranging from after school events, book clubs, and even tax information. The librarian at the front desk greeted me, asking if I needed any help. I was surprised to see that she was younger than the librarians I remember from my childhood.
I found the study area quickly, and it reminded me of the RIC library, with its cubicles and enough electrical plugs to charge several devices. Although smaller, the library’s study area had several perks – rolling chairs (with WAY better back support), desks by the windows to feel the sun, and even house plants, which adds a cozy feeling. Before I settled down on an open desk, I decided to go for a walk and give myself a little tour.
As I walked through aisles, I saw things I haven’t in a really long time – posters that promote reading instead of sayings like ‘but first, coffee,’ a section to play board games and puzzles, a computer and information room, and a bright and inviting children’s section. I walked along the aisles of young adult books – the ones I was assigned to read, or got completely lost in as an adolescent. When I decided it was time to get my own work done, I realized I had a dopey smile on my face and a feeling almost like butterflies in my stomach.
At first I felt like a stranger walking into the public library, like I was intruding into a place I didn’t belong to. But as the hours went on – yes, I still procrastinated, and focused on more personal/creative projects as opposed to job applications and cover letters – I noticed the kinds of people who walked through the doors. Generally, I thought the age range would mostly be at both ends of the age spectrum, but I was completely wrong. I did see toddlers and elderly, but I also saw young and middle aged adults. I was only there during school hours, so I didn’t see anyone in grade school, but I’m sure they make their way to the library too, just like I used to.
I packed up for the day and walked down the entrance stairs with an extra skip in my step, feeling welcome to return the next morning.
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Feeding my library high, that night I listened to a podcast from This American Life that covered three stories about how libraries were like the Room of Requirement from Harry Potter. One library, physically located on the border between the U.S and Canada acted as a loophole meeting place despite in the U.S Iranian travel ban. The second story was a meta, full circle adventure about Todd Lockwood, a man inspired to create the fictional library from a Richard Brautigan novel (The Abortion: An Historical Romance 1966), where anyone can submit their work. The man was pushed to actually make it happen after watching Field of Dreams. It turns out W.P Kinsella, who wrote the novel Field of Dreams was based off of (Shoeless Joe), was largely inspired by Brautigan, and eventually met Lockwood at the Brautigan library. The final story follows a woman named Lydia who spent many hours in a library with her family as a homeless child. The kindness of a librarian there inspired Lydia to become a librarian herself, striving to leave a lasting impact on other children.
Libraries really can change lives.