Thursday, March 28, 2013

I love libraries



I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” Jorge Luis Borges

  Libraries are like community treasures.  Do you like to visit your local library?

   I began taking my daughter to the library when she was a baby. She associates the word “library” with fun and entertainment. My daughter loves to read books, but libraries are not just about books.
   There are many reasons why I have so much respect for libraries:
-They are places where people of all ages and backgrounds can go to both educate and entertain themselves.
-They allow you to have access to a vast array of free books, e-books, magazines (online and in print), internet and professional assistance
-They offer technology training
- They provide access to job-search resources
-They contribute to support entrepreneurship and lifelong learning
-They are community centers where people socialize. Libraries connect people
-They offer cultural and educational events
-Their unique variety of resources is an asset to research

   I find libraries fascinating. They inspire me to dream, reflect and make discoveries. I am very thankful for the wonderful libraries I visit and for the librarians who work in them. Supporting them in any way I can makes me feel good.
   I grew up in a small town in Argentina where the little library survived thanks to the cooperation of the people, so I don’t take the ones here for granted. When I visit my parents, once a year, the little local library is like my second home. I like to lose myself in it. Sometimes I find old books that bookstores don’t  sell anymore. It is like a trip to the past, an exploration of forgotten lands.
   Four years ago I was deeply touched to know that Brad Pitt had picked this little library in the town I grew up to donate books . I still wonder how he found it...
    What about you?  Share your experiences with libraries.
   (I will take a break from writing my blog for two weeks, but I will be reading your blog posts).
Happy Easter.

28 comments:

  1. I LOVE libraries too. I actually will sometimes go to my local library and hang out for hours reading. It's so peaceful and calming!

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  2. Yes, libraries are some of my favorite places. I've enjoyed DVDs and recorded books from the library.

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    1. I meant to write DVDs, audio-books and CDs on the list. I don't know why I forgot to do so. Thanks, Richard.

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  3. Greetings human Julia,

    A thoughtful posting and with a hushed silence, I respond. My human loves to go to the library. A source of knowledge and a fascinating place to discover new books.

    What saddens my human is that in Britain, our ruthless government is cutting back on library funding and some are closing down. This is a tragedy and he is determined that our local library stays open.

    Enjoy your break and your Easter, my human friend.

    Pawsitive wishes,

    Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)

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    1. Penny, I hope your local library will stay open. I hope that everything will be done to keep it open. There are always new ideas, new ways to address the problems.
      Thank you for your sweet message and say hi to your human who takes such good care of you.

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  4. Hi Julia .. we were too far from the local library, but when I went away to school I used that library often. I haven't really since ... but we always had masses of books at home ...

    I love reading about libraries though and finding out more - how thoughtful of Brad Pitt to donate books to your little hometown library ..

    Cheers and I'm so pleased your daughter is enjoying her time at the Library ... Happy Easter - Hilary

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    1. Thanks for sharing your story, Hilary. Yes, my daughter has fun at the library. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for commenting.

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  5. Good point, Lanise. I agree with you. I love the library atmosphere. NO matter where I live I love to visit the libraries.

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  6. I love libraries. When I was small, it was a big deal to go to the library as a family and pick out our books to read. We went one evening each week, checked out bunches of books and read them all by the next week. I'm sure that's what turned me into a reader and writer at an early age. Lovely that your daughter is discovering that world. To this day, I get a feeling of anticipation when I walk into a library. Any library. That was cool about Brad Pitt, btw.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your own story, Elizabeth! I'm enjoying your new blog, by the way.

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  7. I love libraries, Julia. I can disappear into them for hours.

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    1. Oh, yes. I remember you wrote a post about visiting your local library.

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  8. I love libraries as well. This past Fall, we visited the Turks & Caicos Islands for the first time. We went off the beaten path and located a tiny library and I took some pictures of it. The people of the town took so much pride in their collection of books. We are so lucky to have such great access to a world of knowledge.

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  9. Yay for your lovely library of your childhood!

    Well I work in one and have worked only in libraries for over 20 years now so yay for libraries! LOL! Take care
    x

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    1. Lucky you, Old Kitty! Now I know why you've read so much... have a lovely Sunday.

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  10. Back in the day libraries were extremely quiet places to visit. If you dared to speak a little too loud, you were sternly warned. Nowadays, our local libraries are vibrant places with people chatting, various classes taking place in the many rooms, a selection of quiet spaces filled with students working hard, music/video/dvd areas,computers packed with people sending messages etc and much more.. very different from what it was.

    I'm on the fence right now, as not sure what I actually prefer.

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    1. I think it is nice to keep them peaceful and quiet. Thank you for stopping by. I like your blog.

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  11. I love libraries too. Sometimes I use them to try out a book and then if I like the book I buy it. This is mostly with non-fiction.

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    1. Good point. It would be impossible to buy all the books we read anyway.

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  12. My mother and grandmother always used to take me with them when they went to the library, so I grew up with a love for them. :-)

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    1. It's nice that you associate libraries with your mother and grandmother. Thanks for stopping by, Misha.

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  13. I love pictures of libraries. Shelves and shelves of books make such nice patterns. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Your are right, Angelika. They are beautiful patterns.

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  14. Library is also my favorite place. It even smells good!
    Thanks for visiting/commenting my blog.

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I appreciate each and every comment. Thank you.