Happy National Library Week!

I had an impressive tour of the Santa Cruz library last week, from check-in to donations collection. I’ve also had a haul of books from the university library, building blocks for the story I’m working on. Both reminded me how much I love and depend on libraries.

Don’t go to your local library much? Browse around here to see what you might find there.

Banned author John Grisham is this year’s honorary chair. ( I don’t indulge much in author envy, but boy, that is one job I would love to have. ) What: Grisham, banned? Read about it here—and then add the library blog to your regular-read list.

And to celebrate the spirit of the library at its highest reaches, I give you the Bodleian, an illustrated history, here.  And an interview with Bodley’s Librarian (another envy-inspiring job—filled by a remarkable woman, Sarah Thomas, thanks to Merrily for introducing us!) here.  As you read and listen, think of Mary Russell, perusing the Bodley shelves.

But until I’m asked to chair National Library Week, I do what I can to thank the libraries that shaped my mind and continue to shape my work. This year, I have a dozen copies each of several books that I’m happy to donate to libraries that run book groups. If you send me the name of your favorite library and a contact email there, we’ll draw the names of three libraries and see which collection they’d like for their readers. The email is info[at]laurierking.com (thanks to my spamming brothers, you’ll need to substitute an @ for the [at] when you send it.)

And don’t forget to thank a librarian today!

As I said yesterday, this was no easy contest to judge.  I hope you’ve looked at my top ten submissions, which I chose in part with an eye to having some of each kind.  (The only things we didn’t get were audio or video submissions.  Or baked goods, none of those so far have arrived.)  A few of the really interesting ones were simply too long for the purpose—I’m trying to think how we can make use of those.  Oh, and this one:

The Perfect (Purrfect?) Library

by E. W. Woods

Some readers were concerned with the building itself, others with the organization of the books and the layout of  chairs and tables.  Others were more concerned with the sensory presence of their library.  And some people dedicated themselves to the purest definition of fantasy, with sea-going bookmobiles, buildings with the World Tree at their core, or helmets that transport the reader in all his senses.

Looking at my ten favorites, a common theme is the library as a space of transformation: changing kids in the inner city, sailing to distant lands to take the revelation of a library.  Yes, a library is a space for books, but it is also a place to learn, grow, dream, make lifelong contacts: transform.

Which is, in the end, why I chose the short song of praise written by Amber G, because it embraced the fantasy of a library whose sole purpose is to support all people by providing what each needs.

Amber G.’s prose poem to libraries:

Everyone is born here.  It’s warm and safe, a good place to be born.  It’s a place full of stories.  The stories are from every language and dialect, recorded in every form.  They are accessible to every person.  No impairment keeps anyone from experiencing the stories in this place.  This place is magic.

After being born, everyone leaves to go home and takes with them two things.  The first is a loving caregiver.  The second is the most enticing book in the world.  This book is fragrant, beautiful, nice-to-touch, satisfying-in-sound and tasty.  It withstands wetting, biting, hurling, kicking and all other physical stresses.  Everyone, in their infancy, plays with the book.

Everyone returns to the place they were born, leaving this time with more books and a patient teacher.  Everyone listens to and tells stories with their teacher and caregiver.  Everyone plays with language.  In the books, everyone notices the connection between sounds and symbols.  They are exposed to alphabet letters and vocabulary.  They find print all over the world.  Then with the help of their teacher, everyone learns to read.

The next time they visit this place, everyone takes home with them the book in which they find themselves.  They are the protagonist.  As the pages go by, they face challenges, gain insights and embrace new ideas.  The ideas become part of who they are.  Everyone is connected to others who read the book and share the ideas.  Because of this connection, everyone enjoys reading.

Outside this place, everyone is safer and happier because they read.  They teach and care for others.  They make the world better.  Yet in this place, literacy is inconsequential.  This place houses, not only books, but stories.  Stories are in the air here.  Everyone lives in the stories, and even after they’re dead, everyone is alive in them.  Everyone is alive in this place.  This place is magic.

If you are interested in what was written, and dreamed, about libraries, read on:

(The image of a fantasy reading spot thanks to Marina S.)

The majority of readers sent descriptions of public rather than private libraries, with a strong concern for the library as a social center and place to nurture emotional well-being.  Physical descriptions underscored this: very few people went for the modernistic, clean, efficient lines that one in fact often sees in modern libraries, and instead drew up visions of wood and art and the human spirit.

I’ve pulled some quotes out of the essays, to give an idea of what the fantasy library of one of my readers is—I find the make for some interesting patterns.  In alphabetical order:

ART: “All of the walls in the library have murals depicting scenes from stories that have entrances readers for decades—or for generations.”  (Betty C.)  “The carpets are deep, the walls covered with bright prints—Van Gogh, Chagall, Audobon’s birds.” (Mary D.) “In between the windows would be wall space for pictures.  Most pictures would be old.  I would have quite a few Maxfield Parrish pictures.” (Linda G.)  “The enclosed areas are courtyards with outdoor sculptures by local artists, and tables for lunching outdoors.” (Pamela G.)

CARD CATALOGUES: “There Must. Be. Card. Catalogues. Extensive.  This is non-negotiable.  Card catalogues are irreplaceable.” (Laraine C.) “As a back up, there is a storage room just to the left of the main entrance that holds an old style card catalogue.” (Jennifer J.) And, “In the ideal library you can make notes to the exact page or sentence of the book, not on its pages but in the special pages of the library’s site, alongside with other people’s notes to the same bits of the story.”  (Lamilla) [I took this to be a description of what, in fact, the card catalogue once was, with generations of librarians annotating and cross-referencing the books.  An art that is, alas, dead.]

CARPETING: Nearly half of those writing in found carpeting important enough to mention it—sometimes Oriental, sometimes dark, but generally specifying that it has to be thick enough to sit on.

COMPUTERS: Mixed feelings here, with books primary, although “Internet is, of course, present.) (Jason F.)

FIREPLACES were mentioned several times.  “The tower is kept warm by the constant fire in the massive fireplace.” (Pkelsey) “On one wall, instead of shelving, there is a fireplace, not overstated, but mild and contained, there for the effect of light and the warmth in the winter.” (Danielle N.) “I would leave the fourth wall open and build in a large fireplace.” (Melinda S.) “…a fireplace for dreaming by in the winter.” (Cecilia & Ana C.) “One wall would have a fireplace with an antique mantel which would be about 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide.  It would be very specially made so the smoke would not hurt the books.” (Linda G.)

FOOD AND DRINK: There was some division here.  A very few felt that their library would be no place for food and drink: “There are no coffee machines, and the drink machine is only in the public gathering room.” (Stuckinhazmat)   On the other hand, many insisted on it, with a surprising number making a bid for hot cocoa: “There would be a snack bar with wonder coffee and teas, cookies and sandwiches; all kinds of good things to eat.” (Susan M.)  “There is always room for a cup of tea.” (Jaym G.) “The large back room holds a small espresso and tea stand, with a few crumby and butter-filled treats available.  These are ordered with a slightly guilty look toward the front, and each served with a copious linen napkin: the librarian is very strict about greasy fingerprints on her books.  Patrons may bear their mugs upstairs and are careful not to spill.” (Mary D.) “ A hot drink and a good book go together like jam and scones.” (Sapphire T.) “On occasion tantalizing smells of coffee, hot chocolate, or freshly baked treats drift through the door as someone gives in to the temptation.”  (Carolyn P.)

FURNITURE: Comfortable furniture to snuggle into was a common theme.  “There will be a variety of seating options available, from the relaxing over-stuffed cough to a writing desk with table lamp.” (Sarah S.)  “Next to each window is a rocking chair, sturdy and wooden.” (Ahmed B.) “A window seat, piled high with cushions and pillows.” (Susan M.)  “The chairs are ergonomically delightful, always vacant when you need one, and they don’t cut across your kidney area.” (Pamela G.)

LIBRARIANS: “A helpful, knowledgeable librarian (me), usually herself curled up with a book and knowledgeable about every nook and cranny of her beloved shrine to reading, will tell you, in riddles and allusions, where to find what you seek.” (Ana K.) “Friendly, helpful, and lots of fun.” (Alia W.)

LIGHT & AIR: “One part is a screened in porch, with a porch swing and armchair; a cool, breezy place to sit in summer.” (Cecilia & Ana C.) “The lights would all be Art Deco stained glass or other unique antique ones.” (Linda G.) “As far as lighting goes, old ships’ lanterns will ever have my heart: their light is warm and their light is merry, and in their shadows there are stories lurking.” (Amanda R.)  “The lighting would be at the perfect angle for reading, plus there would be a lot of natural light.  Plants, of course.”  (Susan M.)

PERSONALITY: “It would have one of those doors that had shelves built into it so that when it was closed the door virtually disappeared and you would feel like you were in a  world made of books.” (Willow T.)  “A good sturdy castle structure (good quality stone work and masonry with fabulous architecture and a good bonus would be to have secret passages, though they are not 100% necessary.)” (Ali G.) “A beautiful old brick building that brings to mind revolutionary times.” (Gail L.)  “It was a cozy, orderly place.” (Ellen K.)

PLACE: “My fantasy library would take up residence in [one of the many churches being closed,] beautiful late 19^th and early 20^th century ornate stone structures…I can’t imagine anything more spiritually uplifting than sinking into an old, comfy sofa with a good book, sunlight filtered through a hundred-year-old stained glass window shining down upon me.  The horror and fantasy section would be shelved in the dark, cool catacombs beneath the church.” (David S.)  Interestingly, some went high—“In an attic, for I have had a long love affair with attics.” (Amanda R.)—while others went low: “I’d prefer if it were not all grand and inclusive, but more like a catacomb of individual spaces, each leading into another, unexpected and distinct.” (J. S.)

THE SCENT: “Let the scent of old, yellowing pages wash over you, let it hit the roof of you mouth and consume you… That delicious mouthwatering scent of knowledge and anticipation.” (Ivey W.) “The library would smell like a mixture of old and new books.  The scent that only comes from pages being flipped through.”  (Stuckinhazmat)  “Each space would ply the senses with delightful textures, odors, flavors, and the sounds and sights of other, better worlds—although not in such a way as to deny or avoid the harsh, the fetid, the bitter, the grating, or the unlovely experiences that make up experience in its totality.” (J.S.) .) “Like MrsPiggle Wiggle, the library always smells like fresh-baked cookies.” (Betty C.) “…tables and chairs smelling of lemon oil greet you.” (Carolyn P.)

WOOD: Natural elements were in high demand, stone and brick but primarily wood.  The visual images submitted often had wood in them. (Dorian W.)  “Wood, always wood.” (Sheri K.)“The wood on which [the books] rest has darkened and softened with the centuries to a velvety smoothness.” (Ruth N.) “This corridor is little more than a deep doorway, but contains alcoves of hand-crafted hardwood, stained a rich brown.” (Dave B.) “All the wood in the room would be a deep dark rich mahogany or rosewood stained just so the beautiful grains of the wood would show through.” (Linda G.)

And an interesting common image was a tree.  Several of those who talked about the outside of their library or the view through the windows mentioned trees,  but more than mere landscaping was the tree-as-library: “The most important (and likely, impossible) part of our library is that there is a tree in the middle.  A huge Neverlandish tree, that grows up through the roof.  There are several purposes for this tree.  With the addition of cushions, the nooks and crannies in the roots are perfect places for curling up with a book. And on nice days, in warm weather, there is a rope ladder to climb and a trapdoor in the roof that will take you up into the branches, where you can also read.” (Cecilia & Ana C.) “But it’s the center of the room that really draws you.  This room has been built around a very large, old tree, in such a way that both tree and books are unharmed.  The tree lends a certain old green-ness to the otherwise bookish-teaish smell of the room.  The ceiling is full of skylights, so that you can look up and see the boughs of the tree stretching above you.” (Pkelsey)

In all, what readers want in a library is a space they can use and in which they can be comfortable.  Some people mentioned public use rooms and classes, others requested computers (and several specified that the computers always be able to locate and provide the books requested, and never give problems—this is fantasy, remember?)  This is what readers wanted their libraries to be:

“Homey, relaxed, and whimsical.” (Melinda S.)

“It is a place to stay and read as well as a place to find books, a place where children accustomed to living mostly in their heads meet others who do the same.  Kinships are discovered, alliances forged.” (Mary D.)

“The library offers space for both the solitary and the gregarious, and especially space for those who can’t quite commit themselves to one category or the other.” (Cindy S.)

And as Mary D fantasized: “Occasionally a student will pause in the midst of wrestling with a tough paper and, staring out of the window, wonder idly about the library’s mysteries…Where does the faint smell of lavender that permeates the building come from?  How can the coffee be so reliably excellent, the scones so fresh?  Who is the librarian?  And, just how far up does that staircase go?”

Ah: indeed…