Inspired by Booksplease
Whether you usually read off of your own book pile or from the library shelves NOW, chances are you started off with trips to the library. (There’s no way my parents could otherwise have kept up with my book habit when I was 10.) So … What is your earliest memory of a library? Who took you? Do you have you any funny/odd memories of the library?
The love of reading is a gift my mother gave to me. She often took me and my twin brother with her to the library. Just before our fifth birthday, she took us on a special day. We were going to get our own library cards!
To obtain a library card, the rules were that you must be at least five years old, and be able to sign your name on the application. I could I could print my name; Mama had taught me that, but I had a rough time writing it in script. My twin brother, who always seemed to be ahead of me, signed his name with no problem; I struggled, but just could not grasp it. The librarian and Mama kept encouraging me. Finally, the suggestion was made to draw little connecting lines between each printed letter so that it looked scripted.
I got my precious library card! Card in hand, I remember turning the corner of the room, seeing all those books available, and being told that I could read "any book" I wanted. That day, I took home five books, and I determined then and there to read all of the books in the library.
I must admit, I've adjusted that goal. (My husband, looking over my shoulder, grumbles, "I don't think so; you still want to read all the books!")
When my children were nine and fourteen, I began working--in a high school library as a clerk. I loved that job, being surrounded by books every day. Of course, many came home with me for a visit. Talk about Reader Heaven!
What library experiences have you had?
When I was young just the smell of the library made me happy. I spent countless hours in there reading Nancy Drew and The Box Car Children adventures. I was able to instill the love of reading into 2 of my 3 kids...and I still hold out hope for the other one. I tell my husband my DREAM job would be to have a used book store with no customers so I'd have an excuse to sit there all day and read!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. You are blessed to have those wonderful memories of going to the library with your mother and brother. I want to read just about every book I am introduced to which is quite impossible. My hubby laughs because I have a little book bin of some of the books waiting to be read. I am never without a book :>) I hope you have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteWe had to sign and print our name also! It was a very exciting day.
ReplyDeleteVisiting the libraries and seeing those shelves of books always cheers me up! I wish I work in the library!
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ReplyDeleteLovely memories ;0)
ReplyDeleteI don't remember signing the library card when I was little, maybe we didn't have to. I loved working with books - the best was when I was a cataloguer and sat surrounded by piles of books. It's the same at home now as I have books piled up and use Library Thing to catalogue them.
ReplyDeleteOh that precious first library card! I vaguely remember mine and that it was the excuse to get my very first wallet!
ReplyDeleteI loved this question and that wonderful memories it inspired. Thanks for sharing yours!
I remember spending lots of time at the library. It was only 1/2 block from my house, and my best friend's mother was the librarian. Even though I read a lot, it was also a social gathering place for me. By the way, are you staying dry? It seems that Fay won't go away. Sally
ReplyDeleteEveryone's posts are making me remember other books I loved as a child. The Boxcar Children!! And how about The Borrowers?
ReplyDeleteSo many excellent memories. This is one of the best BTT topics!
Reader Heaven indeed!
Thank you for visiting -
I think I remember setting that same goal to read all the books in the library - I still haven't met it and to be fair wouldn't want to read all the books just all the good ones! haha
ReplyDeleteI remember going to the library for researching information when I was young. These days I like to read a variety of books and have been known to read one during lunch at work and different one at bedtime.
ReplyDeleteJudi
Reading is one of my passions in life.... I've always said: Beware of the man of one book.... :)
ReplyDeletecielo
Oh Sally, I just love your husband. LOL, (he sounds like mine). and I just took my 6 year old grandson down and he got his first library card and had to sign his name.
ReplyDeleteI loved your memory!
lol I still want to read all the books too. Some times I have this urge to start at the very first shelf and continue till end. I never get even close to finishing the first shelf. lol
ReplyDeleteI started reading at a young age and just loved the libary (and still do) but I don't remember having to sign the card. Probably just can't remember that far back!
ReplyDeleteActually I think I was allowed to print my name. But I remember that the children's library card was white, whereas the adult card was maroon. I think I traded mine in when I got older.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have library cards at our library - I don't remember how they checked out the books in the 'olden days'.
ReplyDeleteLibraries are a little slice of heaven for readers, aren't they?
I've been having 'one of those days Sal" LOL I keep trying to commet on the BTT post, but... ???
ReplyDeleteSal!! Seriously...you are my idol. Have you commented on EVERY BTT post? I'm coming along behind you and see you everywhere. I'll never make them all. LOL Everyone back east will be in bed before i'm done.
ReplyDeleteWorking in a library must be great - do you ever go through the new stock just so you get the good ones first?
ReplyDelete-amillionpieces
I loved reading your post! It's amazing how similar our experiences were. (I still want to read all the books in the library!)
ReplyDeleteHey, Sally! Thanks for visiting my blog! I don't remember going to the library when I was really little, but when I was in third grade, we moved to a town that didn't have a library but the Bookmobile came once a week and parked in the shopping center lot. I always loved going through the Bookmobile and picking out books. Thanks for reminding me of this!
ReplyDeleteLibraries were mostly inside schools for us, and it was required that we get cards. Still, it was a wonderful thing for me. I think I was one of the few who go to the library for fun! Here is mine Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit! Your post made me remember signing my first library card too!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Moms are responsible much of the time for introducing their children to the library. My Mom also took me to the library each week, and I think I've been there with my Dad once in my life (and that was as an adult).
ReplyDeleteMoms are great! :)
ReplyDeleteI had to be able to sign my name, too, before I got my own library card.
That was a great day.
Oh I had forgotten about that til you mentioned it . It's a vague memory but a good one .
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
ReplyDeleteI remember going to the library as a child and the children's section was upstairs.
Now we have another library and the Art Museum is in the old libray building...so every time I go there I think about the library as a child.
I am trying to instill that love of reading and going to the library in Connor my grandson...but it is a little harder with a 5 year old active boy! LOL
diane
Your first encounter with the library is very memorable and cute! Thank you for sharing the personal memories. I got my first card when I was in third grade. It turned out to be an ID card with picture. While there was no fee to get one, I did have to bring a picture of myself to apply for one.
ReplyDeleteHi Sally Sweetness! I'm back! Oh, the library! I used to love going as a child. Our library was in an old building and you had to walk down steps to enter. My mother would take me, too and I would check out my little books. I was always so proud to have library books to read and was very careful to get them back on time. We've moved around a lot in our married life and one of the first things I've done when I've gotten settled is go get my library card!! I still go and kinda miss the old card files!! Be a sweetie, and um, er, well yes I did hit a few bathrooms! How'd ya know? lol
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia :)
My mother was the one who always took my brother and I to the library too. :-)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your story. I don't remember getting my first library card, although I can still see the card itself clearly in my head--and remember that my signature was smeared because it hadn't yet dried when I ran my hand over it.
my mom instilled in us three, a love for books too! We would go once a week, and could get three books each time (I got chapter books) and we would sit in for the local old movies they would play for free, and listen to story time, and mom would personally go through the isles with each of us and read titles for us to help get us interested. We loved going!!!
ReplyDeletePS- YES! It is a Faberware pot! I have a smaller pot like this, and a saucepan, but got so excited when I saw how deep this one was- so I snatched it up right away!!!! I love it dearly!
ReplyDeleteMy earliest memories are of the school library. I have a vague memory of a public library. This past summer I went to a public library for the first time in at least 35 years!
ReplyDeletetake care,
Dawn
Yes, we did mail the book back to the library - I think my mother was embarrassed to do so after protesting so much, though!
ReplyDeleteI love your post. It's such a wonderful story! I'm glad you have such pleasant memories of the library.
- Medieval Bookworm
What a beautiful blog! I loved your story. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Come again. I'll be sure to be visiting yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! what fun memories and what a goal!
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