I don't mean that as metaphysically as it no doubt sounds. 8-) When I was a kid, elementary school years, my local library was Rosenberg library, which is a solid building, meant to withstand hurricanes (was built after the 1900 storm), and always smelled the same, that not!dust of books and binding glue, unique and common to libraries and bookshops. It's square and old and the carpet has worn spots (I've not been in years, but I suspect they are still there) and the children's section was downstairs, across an open space from the special collections area and so a reminder that this physical space was the same physical space that it had been through Carla in 1961 and would be (though Ike did a lot of damage to the building systems recently). It was solid; it was safe.
In junior high school, it was more emotional safety. Like so many kids, I was an overweight, acne-ridden, glasses-wearing, fashion awkward kid with orthodontia, 'nuff said. The librarian ruled with an iron fist, and looking back, I suspect she knew she was sanctuary. 8-) I spent most of my lunches in the library, avoiding my peers and rolling around in sci-fi and fantasy like a puppy in a pile of leaves. Given where and when I was, that meant mostly stuff like Barsoom and Gor, but also Norton's Witchworld. 8-)
libraries
I don't mean that as metaphysically as it no doubt sounds. 8-) When I was a kid, elementary school years, my local library was Rosenberg library, which is a solid building, meant to withstand hurricanes (was built after the 1900 storm), and always smelled the same, that not!dust of books and binding glue, unique and common to libraries and bookshops. It's square and old and the carpet has worn spots (I've not been in years, but I suspect they are still there) and the children's section was downstairs, across an open space from the special collections area and so a reminder that this physical space was the same physical space that it had been through Carla in 1961 and would be (though Ike did a lot of damage to the building systems recently). It was solid; it was safe.
In junior high school, it was more emotional safety. Like so many kids, I was an overweight, acne-ridden, glasses-wearing, fashion awkward kid with orthodontia, 'nuff said. The librarian ruled with an iron fist, and looking back, I suspect she knew she was sanctuary. 8-) I spent most of my lunches in the library, avoiding my peers and rolling around in sci-fi and fantasy like a puppy in a pile of leaves. Given where and when I was, that meant mostly stuff like Barsoom and Gor, but also Norton's Witchworld. 8-)