Whenever I feel frazzled or bored, there is one place I
always go to that makes me feel better. Most people find comfort at a place of
worship, or maybe the mall. For me, I head for the library.
That place
was my sanctuary during my childhood. It was ancient, had an odd, musty smell
- and even odder patrons - but I could walk to it and hide among the stacks. I
could read the Harlequins that were forbidden in my parents' home, and I could
dream without being harassed.
I no longer live nearby, and when I think
of that library, I remember card catalog cabinets and flimsy library cards that
held your account number on a piece of metal. Don't get me wrong: I'm all for
computer catalogs and bar coded library cards. Still, while the libraries today
have more resources and events, I miss the odd musty smell and the ka-chunk ka-chunk
of that machine when checking books out.
I admit I still visit the library
a lot, especially when I'm having a bad day. Maybe because the library is quiet
and orderly. It could be because there's always something new, or because the
library holds the answers.
Now that I think about it, I might be addicted
to libraries. I've chosen apartments based on how close they were to the library.
Whenever I move, I have the tendency to renew library card before renewing my
driver's license! What can I say? The library is my home away from home.
