My refuge from the rain & thunder

(A version of this post ran in April 2019.)

When I ran into trouble in school, when I felt like I didn’t fit-in with friends, when life seemed challenging, one place served as a refuge.  When I struggled as a kid, I had one place I could go to get away.

I liked the baseball diamond, football field, and basketball court. They were first loves, but my local public library was a unique place all its own. It was truly safe. I would walk in the library and I could read new books. I could go places I never imagined. I would walk in feeling one way, I would leave a completely new person.

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The American Library Association (ALA) sponsors National Library Week April 6-12 to celebrate the contributions of libraries and library workers and to promote library use and support.

The free access to books and a place to go — no matter how big or small, or even just a hole in the wall — saved me. I owned a library card long before I ever owned a driver’s license.

Times have changed. You can pull up Google and instantaneously find out everything that you ever wanted to know and then some about obscure topics.

Need to know about the human cell. It’s all there for the taking. Google will spit back more than 2 trillion results. Need to know how many World Series the Minnesota Twins have won. You can get the answers in seconds. The answers three by the way, 1924, 1987, and 1991.

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The web has changed life as we know it. I pray though that libraries still have a place in this new world.

If it’s up to me, if my vote counts in any way, shape or form, libraries will continue to play an important role and serve as a place of honor. There’s nothing like a library and a librarian who can help refine your search and lead you in the right direction.

In short, libraries mean opportunity and, for me, represented a life saver. I got to think they can continue to serve that role for countless others.

Go visit your library.

My refuge: The public library

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55 thoughts on “My refuge from the rain & thunder”

  1. As someone who works in public libraries, this post warmed my heart, on a morning of unexpected snow, Brian. 🥰 I can go on a long diatribe about the continued place of libraries in communities but I won’t. And I need more coffee. 😆 Glad to have a library user and advocate in the WP community and in you. Happy Tuesday! 😀

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    1. Oh, thank you so much Ab. If I didn’t find two particular libraries, I’m convinced that my life would have been much less filled than it has been. I know for a fact I wouldn’t have continued on to college. I would have probably never left the small little village where I grew up. It really was a refuge from challenges that I faced. And I worry now for kids. IN this climate in the US, I worry about our so-called leaders making rash and idiotic budget cuts. Ugh. I’m not sure how the environment for libraries is in Canada. I’m assuming better, but still somewhat of a fight. I wish you well though friend!

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      1. The current administration is definitely targeting those that promote values of diversity, equity and inclusion as well as intellectual freedom. So libraries for sure are targets. But they’ve lasted the test of time and they’ll survive Trump. 😊🙏

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  5. I love my local library. I learn just by looking at the book displays! BTW, I was there when the Twins won the World Series in 87 and 91. Not sure even the best librarian could describe the euphoria–and dangerous craziness–that followed the 87 games.

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  7. The public library is still my refuge Brian. I have been a card carrying member, no matter where I lived since my elementary school days. While Google is quick and easy, I appreciate the challenge for researching and strengthening my mind. Cheers to libraries and the faithful librarians who keep them open! 📙📚📘

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      1. Oh yes Brian, you hit the nail on the head my friend. Plus, librarians are the fighting force against those strange and spiteful book banners who never read the books they seek to ban! Is that an oxymoron? 😱🤷🏻‍♀️😲

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    1. Aww, that sounds cool. I need to look for a volunteer gig like that. It’s amazing how easy it is to collect books. My wife and I are hunting down a few boxes tonight in our house for her school’s used book sale. I’m a hoarder. I’m hoping this will get me to stop!!! 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️😎

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  10. As a library super fan I appreciate this post. Libraries are such a beautiful part of the community. People don’t realize just how much worth they offer. I have to believe they will continue into the future as believing otherwise would be a tragedy.

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    1. Tragedy indeed. Let’s hope we never go there. Thanks for the kind comments. I’m so glad others can relate. I was lucky to have two great libraries in my youth. They really played a difference in my life. And you’re right, people don’t realize how special they are. Thanks for reading.

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  11. Me too Brian, I love libraries, book stores, even the annual elementary school book swaps! I can’t explain the comfort I feel when surrounded by books. This might be why my room is stacked floor to ceiling with all my beloved novels. Thank you for the reminder of the importance of these safe havens for all. Hugs, C

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    1. Oh I’m glad I’m not alone Cheryl. I love those places. It is a comfort. I can spend hours in a library or store. You wrote yesterday about husband and wife relationships. My wife loves a great library or book store as much as me. But our book approach is one area where we differ. She’ll grab five books she’s interested in reading. Meanwhile I’m still picking out my first, analyzing, figuring out, making a day of it. Ha ha. I’m the slow brat! 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤣🤣😎😎

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  12. I spent a lot of time in libraries growing up and in college to study. I joined our local library last year and it has so many in person activities going on each week including yoga, painting, cooking lessons, Tai Chi and author interviews. I think that’s their way to compete with the internet.

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  13. I’m so glad you shared this Brian, especially during National Library Week. Thank you for your heart-felt support. Having worked in 2 college libraries and one public library, I have first-hand experience in how amazing the librarians were that I worked with. They personally delivered books to those who had mobility issues or who were ill and couldn’t come to the library. Librarians go out their way to help patrons in more ways than I could list. The free services libraries offer are crucial to hold communities together.
    The 1991 Twins World Series win, what a great memory! I still have my Kirby Puckett bear and Homer Hankie.

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    1. In one of my comments I compared a great librarian to another role that I hold in high regard – a great editor. Librarians really are superheroes. They saved me in many respects. And there’s something about a college library … always felt at home in my college library. Now I felt anxiety about some upcoming test or paper. But always felt at home studying in the library!!!!😎😎😎

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  15. A pleasure to read this, Brian. A few days ago, I thought of you and another of your posts that had reminded me of National Library Week and inspired a piece on my library in Portugal. Happy National Library Week, and here’s to enduring refuge from rain and thunder.

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    1. Oh, thanks for thinking of my writing Natalie. I definitely hold libraries and librarians in a place of honor. We didn’t have lot of money when I was a kid, but if I wanted to go to the library that was never a problem. Libraries showed me that there was a life outside of my little village. I loved reading stories about heroes who overcame adversity and made something of themselves. I’m convinced that gave me the courage and perspective I needed later as teen. Special places. Thanks so much for your kind comment.

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  18. I loved hanging out at the library. Still do, actually; my small town has a beautiful, historic library, complete with cozy fireplaces. I don’t spend as much time there as I should, but I’m working on that.

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  21. Great post and topic, Brian. I hope for the same thing as much as I hope that physical books never become obsolete. I don’t like to read a book on a screen because I already have enough screen time. And like you mentioned in one of your last posts, there’s something special about the feel of the cover, the pages, and the smell. I think you mentioned these, but I could be wrong. It happens. 🙂 I also remember going to the library all the time. Now I find myself collecting books, buying them either in book stores or on Amazon. Sigh. I haven’t been to the library in years. Maybe you’ve inspired me.

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    1. I go through phases. I have a ton of books collecting on my desk. I have a kindle too. But I still like the feel of a library. I’m fortunate, there’s a local branch that I like to visit. It’s relatively new. Is nice and friendly. My problem is that I’m an incredibly slow reader now. It takes so long to read a book. And I don’t have the patience I once did. If a book doesn’t interest me relatively quickly, I’m moving on. I’m kind of in a weird spot too. I don’t know anymore what my interests or favorite author is. I know I like a certain author or book and I’ll return to it rather than find someone new. I have to get over that. Ha, ha.

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      1. I’m the same way if a book doesn’t interest me, and I’m pretty sure most of us stick with favorite authors unless we hear of good recommendations. As much as I love to blog, I don’t want blogging to take away my time to read. So, it’s a balancing act. 🙂

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