Lemony Snicket once said, “When trouble strikes, head to the library. You will either be able to solve the problem or simply have something to read as the world crashes down around you”. Many people wrongly think the library is a place where you are quiet and just walk aimlessly around to look for a book. Those people are missing out on life. They don’t see the excitement of a 17-year-old girl or boy, hurriedly hopping up the solid white stairs of a 100-year-old brick building, smiling at the white lettering that proudly rests upon the building as a means to invite all. The tall heavy wooden doors that this girl or boy must lean their body, tiny or big, back, to create a small gap that they swiftly slide through creaks as it slowly closes and speaks up with a BANG! This lets you know you are officially in a place where no doorbell needs to be rung or door to be knock. This is the library, where you have the comfort of being included and safety of not being judged that leads to the feeling of home.
When you enter this brick structure, a large wave of cold conditioned air washes across your face. It engulfs the whole body, along with hints of that sweet cigarette stench you have come to love. You smile, swaying your body forward then back as you take a deep breath to the familiar greetings of kind humming conversation of the library’s patrons and staff, that buzz their way through the shelves and sections, upon entering the library. Bubbles of cheerfulness and tranquility float out of the librarians into the atmosphere of the building that soaks itself into their patrons. You see the staff working quietly behind that blue screen for the best of their community. Backs straight and smile in hand greeting all with a soft “Hello!” that can bring a smile to anyone’s face. They joyfully address you by your respected name or nickname, instantly bringing lighthearted conversation to the table being sure to invite you to one of the many events that they hold. In some circumstances, the staff invites you to a special group lunch with them or order food for you if they are not going out for lunch break. In addition, if you are close enough with them, the staff will give you early access to books you can keep. The staff slowly becomes a second family to you, including you in plenty of events and constantly making sure you are okay. Even getting worried about you if you don’t visit the library for a period of time and when you come to visit, the librarians instantly show how they missed you with a proud smile. You slowly begin to float as the cold air gently pulls you through the library.
As you quietly float down the wide rectangle hall of the music and movie section, quiet in waiting to make noise pushing each other out the way to catch the eyes of its audience and suited only for the sharpest eyes―to the right is the New Non-Fiction section. You make your way up to this small square section next to the second entrance of the library. You crouch down on your knees to level yourself to the two small bookcases that give color to the non-fiction genre. Placing your hands on the flat rough blue carpet, you scurry your way around the wooden bookcases getting a closer look at the upper and bottom shelf amazed at places these books can take you. Assured safety to learn the new truths about history or the world of a person, place, or thing. Between the safety of these two shelves that pass no judgment and always encourages you to pick one of its bright and boldly colored books. You feel the rise of bubbles leaving your body reading the exciting titles of each cover. Briefly, you open the books, that expose parts of the world you never knew about and amazing stories of discovery. That you cannot help but raise your brows too and smile. Constantly making a mental note of which one you are going to pick up when you come back to this wonderful home. After brief moments in the New Non-Fiction section that in time is short but is joyfully long, you pull yourself from those shelves knowing there are other sections, like other people in your home, that wish to greet you.
You stand up and notice the carpet imprinted in your knees, you briefly greet the front desk and pass through the arch wall that leads to the other part of the library. You turn to your left and have now entered the Fiction section of the library. The section, that has six rows of tall wooden shelves full of books that reach the ceiling and takes up most of the room. The section that is next to the public computers, across from the Non-Fiction section, teen area, and romance section, however, manages to be the quietest area of all. Encased in a big sphere where you hear nothing but the sound of your shoes greeting the carpet and the ruffling of your clothes. It is said the books absorb the sound. That they protect you from the noise of the library as you walk through the aisles row by row, undisturbed. Slowly getting into a trance, only to stop to pull out a book or tie your shoes. This meditative action and section, that clears your mind of everything and keeps you in the present. Goosebumps of the skin wake to the cold air, you hug your arms together to keep yourself warm. Rubbing your arms to create heat, the sweater of cold air, and silence make you feel you are the only one in the section. Free to do as you please and relax, that results in your eyelids now heavy wanting to close, however, the movement of your body keeping you awake. Exiting the Fiction area, to remind yourself that you are in a public building even though your body and mind may disagree; this common brick building that is close to your heart that is home. After your visit with the Fiction section, you slingshot to the Young Adult (YA) section or the teen section, where it all began.
The YA section like the New Non-Fiction section and Fiction Section had a bubble of its own, that when you entered somehow blocks out all noise though it’s a section that is out in the open. With no shelves to close off its space or in rows but shelves that lean tall against the walls. It’s the first place, a teenager can feel comfortable, with books that have loud covers and words that can speak even louder. Demanding you to pick at least one book for the enjoyment of yourself. You find your voice on something you are passionate about and stand for. A zone where you can lay down your shields and not face judgment. The YA section is brightly colored that can attract the eye of anyone and holds books that anyone can find themselves in. The area is small compared to the other sections, however, the excitement of being able to find something that represents you or supports you always comes up when you are there. Always, there is a book with a cover that looks like you, dialect that you personally recognize, and characters that have your experiences and dreams. You can’t help but feel drawn to a place that you belong. This is a section where you can realize you have more emotions than what you originally thought. This is the section where you could find and see those books hidden in the corner of the shelf and every other part like the back of your hand. It’s the first place in the library where the bubbling feeling that cannot help but across your face in a wide smile. That love that keeps you coming back, coming back for that constant feeling, the first feeling of home. Encouraging you to try new things and other sections of the library, for instance, the non-fiction section.
Before the Non-fiction area was remodeled, it was cold, always below zero, with lights that could not decide if they wanted to be on or off and sometimes just gave up. However, this section was given a new space in the library, in a spacious room where the books are now watered with just the right amount of light. A room that is warm and inviting, to have something taken from it to serve the purpose of enjoyment. You are reminded of your living room that never failed at giving light as you lied on the couch thinking about your next book. This section had rows of shelves along the wall and a maze of short bookshelves. When you are going through the maze or viewing the books on the walls, you get a sense of lightheartedness walking. Books left and right grabbing your attention and beckoning a welcome. Going through the Non-Fiction section is like playing Candy Land. Every few steps you make you are in a different kingdom that has something for you. This section is claimed to be plain in look with its brown bookshelves, stained blue carpets, and lifeless white walls. However, is elegant in knowledge and paints that elegance over you. This section reminds you every time to come back because in the Non-Fiction section, everyone wants to learn and discover, and no one will take that away from you. Assured it is your right to hold of this knowledge and to not be ashamed because of your age or person, that brings the thought of home.
Feel and sight of all the parts and functions of the library that bring positive emotion make it hard to leave the library. When in a good home, the state of safety and comfort naturally flow in and that is the library. A place where you can feel at home once in the building and forget about the problems that ache your thoughts. It’s a place where not having to worry about being judged and comfort of being included, remind you that, you belong here and that many places can be a home and there is not one kind. When you realize that with this old brick building is that sort of place, you do not become a patron anymore but a family member―and it’s a wonderful feeling.
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