Well, as some of you may know (I haven't mentioned it in, like two days) I moved recently. I grew up in Utah and I couldn't leave my home town without giving a shout out, with my Libraries Around the World feature, to my childhood library. This is the place where I grew up on words. These are the stacks where I checked out every Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley Twins, Boxcar Children, and Babysitters Club book religiously. My love for libraries was born and raised in the walls of this place. It fed the fires of my book-lust and also, in later years, the fires in my pockets when I got a job there as a page. But enough of the ridiculously overblown praise. I took a few photos of this nostalgic building before we left. It didn't always look like this, having received a few make-overs in the years since I caressed Nancy's yellow bindings (well, sometimes they were more of a grayish brown...). But it will always hold a special place in my heart. Or something like that (oh the cheese in this post is simply delicious). I introduce you to the unimposing, but well-beloved Orem Public Library.
Many a time I remember running up those spiral stairs. It was like being in a book. A book with a castle and a fabulous collection of kids reading material.
Speaking of straight from a book, these windows are one of my favorite things. Done by a local artist, they span one entire wall near the collection of fairy tales (which, by the way, is quite extensive). They were not there for my early years, but I remember when they were put in. At least, I remember being completely jealous that one of my friends was a model for one of the characters in the window. Details, details.
And here's a close-up of one part. Not a very interesting part, but my hubby took the photo, so blame him. It's not even the part that my friend modeled for. Still, love these windows. And love this library.
What memories do you have of your "first" library?
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Wait! Who did she model for? My friends used to tell me I looked like sleeping beauty and it went straight to my head, Of course, that was before I got old and fat. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow. Can't say mine had stained glass, but it had that wonderful smell of crinkling, aging pages of books.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading (well, looking at the gorgeous illustrations of) Princess Melisande, Greek mythology, and Russian folktales (with gorgeous pictures by Ivan Bilibin).
It's still there today, and while I haven't visited it in a long time, I've noticed that they've added a statue in the front...of a boy reading a book, with a lion standing over him.
I may have to trot over there tomorrow now, but the thing I remember most was how chilly it was, and that wonderful, papery old smell.
Jenny, I think she wasn't a specific character, but the girl reading under the tree in the second window. Maybe you were the inspiration for sleeping beauty :)
ReplyDeleteLauren, oh I love that old papery smell. I hope libraries never lose that in favor of technology smells (though I love technology too :)
A wonderful library. I hope you find another as good, if not as magical necessarily, in your 'new place.'
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that library is amazing! How lucky for you that this was the library you grew up with. :)
ReplyDeleteAndie, there is a pretty good library near my new place. But, I suppose, it will never have the same place in my heart :)
ReplyDeleteSmall, I really loved living near this nostalgic library for so long.
I can understand having a strong attachment to your local library. As a kid, I spent so much time in mine it was like a second home; and now, I help to run a non-profit used bookshop that benefits our local branch library system!
ReplyDeleteThose windows are just lovely...
BookGirl, that's so fantastic! I'd love to be involved in something that helps my local library. I'll have to see about volunteer work or something.
ReplyDeleteHey! That's my favorite library too! :) I do have fond memories of the library I grew up with, in the Salt Lake area, and often wonder what it looks like now. I haven't been there since I left the nest. I should drop by sometime!
ReplyDeleteSuey, I'm still a bit jealous you get to work there :) It's so fun to return to that childhood library!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's an amazing library! A far cry from my tiny neighborhood branch library. :)
ReplyDeleteIt really is a good place and I'm only beginning to appreciate just how great it was!
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