Ode to the Library
I can’t begin to tell you what the library has meant to me over the years. I first fell in love with the one above my preschool class. I actually remember the cozy nook where I would snuggle with a book in the bitter cold of winter. I probably couldn’t read yet, but somehow the pictures opened up a world of wonderment, and I knew that the words would come soon.
In elementary school, we were fortunate enough to have a huge library with volumes of the latest encyclopedias and “Shakespeare Simplified.” I spent months helping organize the books with the implementation of the Dewey decimal system. It was a daunting task, but so amazing to see how many books the school library had, the possibilities.
In high school, the latest, greatest, most modern magazines were at our fingertips. Teen People was a favorite (and not just for the 21 Jump Street features! – ya, I’m that old).
A few months spent in Saskatchewan, where I knew nobody, had the nearby library becoming my closest friend.
And now, with my own children, the library is good for storytelling time (my toddler), quiet study time (my teenager), and an escape from ‘the hustle and bustle of life that is better than a luxurious spa weekend’ time (me).
They have diversity initiatives, writers-in-residence to encourage budding writers, youth leadership workshops, book clubs and so so much more…
I can’t begin to count the memories made, or the dollars saved, or the knowledge obtained, or the happiness I’ve reaped over the years.
The library is priceless.
_______________________
*Ifyou follow my twitter feed, @iamsheba, I mentioned the sad situation about the Muslim students of Valley Park Middle School in Toronto who are having to deal with those wanting to take away their prayer time. You can still sign the petition here (in support of the TDSB and the students): http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/letuspray
May Allah reward you:)
Asalaamu Alaikum
Did you sign the petition to save the libraries in TO? I just did today.
walaikum assalam
^ like!