Luscious Libraries
November 28th, 2006
I love libraries! In this day and age of “information at your fingertip” is making the whole experience of being in library, breathing the smell of books and a physical connection with the all the fascinating things to learn so extraordinarily rare.
I have a very fond memories of visiting NY Public libraries. I went there looking for a book written in 1860’s; I found the catalog number and went to the front desk to get a copy. They whisked me away in the back, asked for three or four IDs and left me in an empty silent room for 20 minutes or so. And then the librarian came over with the book and my jaws dropped!
It wasn’t a copy of the 1860’s book that I was looking for, it was the original manuscript of the book with notations by the author in the margin. That made a tremendous impression on me. I gingerly read the book, held it close and caressed it. For a moment I was transported back in time to 1860’s, I felt like I was sitting in the same room as the author, drinking warm brandy and talking about wonderful mysteries of the world.
Via thenonist
Leave a Reply