THE STILETTO GANG

 

Libraries

By Saralyn Richard

                                            Rosenberg Library's Fox Room

I’ve always loved libraries. My mother was a regular patron at the turn-of-the-century library and museum in my hometown, Rosenberg Library, and I remember climbing the marble stairs to the third-floor children’s library, where I loaded up on books every two weeks. The high ceilings and cool, papery smell, the hushed sounds of people moving about, the tall wooden card catalogue cabinets with tiny drawers, the thrill of discovering new books—there was no other experience quite like this.

                                                         Howard-Tilton Library, Tulane University

The Rosenberg Library set a high bar, and for a long while, other libraries didn’t come close. When I did my undergraduate studies at Tulane University, I spent a lot of time in the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. This building was much more modern, and my purpose there was much more prescribed. Instead of wandering among shelves, looking for whatever might appeal to my taste for reading material, I was there to do research. As an English major, that research usually had to do with history, philosophy, literature, or cultural background, mostly nonfiction. I still enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of study, the efficiency of the searching and checkout systems, and the sleek, clean tables and study carrels. I’m proud to say my honors thesis, “A Stylistic Study of John Milton’s Comus,” is part of its circulation, too.

                                            Harper Library, University of Chicago

When I was in graduate school at the University of Chicago, I fell in love with the Harper Library. This lesser-used research facility has been classified as one of the top places in the world to study. I agree whole-heartedly. The building has the appearance and feel of a medieval castle—inside and out, but the seating is super-comfortable, and, for a bibliophile like me, the atmosphere is luxurious.

You may think me odd, but when I travel to different cities, states, countries, or continents, I love to visit their public libraries. I’ve seen scores of libraries that have made deep impressions on me. Some of my favorites are the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., the New York Public Library, and the British Library (where I stood in reverence before the Magna Carta and J.K. Rowling’s first query letter).

My passion for libraries has compelled me to volunteer to support my local library, as well. After many years of living in a different part of the country, I have returned to my hometown, and I am on the board of the Friends of Rosenberg Library, the same institution where my love of libraries began. I publish a semi-annual newsletter, manage a weekly sale of online collections, and work at the annual book sale.

I’m positive that heaven is one big library in the sky. What do you think?