I grew up in a time and place when librarians still had QUIET signs on their desks and posted on the stacks. What I remember best are the feel of the smooth polished wood of the card catalogue cabinet and the creamy smell of the cards. I loved the card catalogue. Flipping through those cards, picking one out of the drawer and walking around with a number that ultimately produced an actual book was as fun to me as an Easter egg hunt. Then actually putting my hands on the book and settling down on the floor or sitting at the table, in chairs of more smooth, heavy wood, : ) and losing myself in a story. Oh, what magic! Reading changed my life, opened up possibilities I hadn't imagined. Today reading is one my life's top pleasures. Kim Steffgen Maggie Harrer wrote: >Dear Friends, >This is a bit unorthodox perhaps, but for a fund raiser for a library, I am >collecting what we are calling "Library Tales." These are short reminiscences >of your personal memories, perhaps earliest personal memories, of a specific >library and its impact on you. We are planning to collect the stories and >publish them as a fund raiser and education piece on the importance of libraries. > >I would be so grateful if you would take a minute to write a short >recollection, if you have one you would like to share, sign it, give me your current >residence (town and state is enough), possibly your age range (not required) and >send it to me. We are finding that these stories are wonderful and as the two >I've included below are from folks who are long past childhood, it proves the >lasting impact of libraries. > >I would also appreciate your sharing this e-mail with anyone who might find >this rewarding and be willing to support a library with a memory. I've >included a short sample at the end, to give you an idea. > >I would also be happy to share the results with anyone interested. > >Thank you in advance for your help with this worthy project. > >Sincerely, >Maggie L. Harrer >Oradell, NJ > >LIBRARY TALES >Sample One: When I grew up in a small town in Iowa, the most important >influence on my life was our Carnegie Library where stories were read to me by >the sweetest of librarians until I could read myself. And then, oh wondrous >day, when I could finally sign my own name - I got my VERY OWN library card!!! I >still remember that moment...it was as if all the wonders of the world had >been handed to me in that little card!! I remember walking home, clutching it, >and showing it to my parents with great pride. More importantly, I used it >frequently and well. I have never forgotten that library, its children's >reading room, and that lovely librarian. I've even taken my own daughter to see it >and shared with her the wonder I felt there. > >SAMPLE TWO: >I, too, remember my first library. It was a tiny place, a corner storefront >actually, and located in the next neighborhood so it was a long walk for a >little kid. My mom would take me there. She loved to read. From the time she >was a little girl to the end of her life she consumed books. > >I remember the little stools that were just the right height for a tike to >sit on. Most of all I remember the smell of the place. There was something >special and inviting about the odor of a library: the paper, the ink, the book >bindings, the wooden cabinets. I love to visit old libraries and hope that >they still have that particular aroma. The >librarians had pencils with a metal attachment at the eraser end that held >a little date stamp which they'd mark the due date in the book.. > >I remember getting my first card, too. I had to print my name and then I >could take out two books at a time. I felt pretty important as it gave me the >same rights as a grown-up. > >========================================================= >Important Subscriber Information: > >The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > >If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > > > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).