If you were born before the 1970's ...

[NotHardUp1]

Loved my town library although it wasn't that big. They always had just about every daily newspaper and monthly magazines.

The new library they built was a big two stories and beautiful.

Our hometown library was a place of pride, a beautiful brick building downtown, across from the courthouse, and with large windows and beautiful wood inside, and cool air, and an almost reverent atmosphere. It never occurred to us to raise our voices, not any more than we would have in a sanctuary. We revered reading and learning, even though we viewed reading as fun, too, and joined the summer reading contests as children.

A couple of decades ago, I was heartbroken to learn the library had burned down, a total loss. It had historic documents in it and other irreplaceables. The fire was arson. The head librarian was embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the funds, to gamble, and had lost it all. The Board was in the midst of an audit and she was sure to get caught, so set the fire in an attempt to obliterate it.

A librarian burning a library. The thought is as anathema as learning your elementary school teacher had been the one stealing lunch money out of desks during recess.

There are no words.

 

[rareboy]

But there is one great short story in the tale you relate.

Write it. I love the characters already.

 

[NotHardUp1]

Well, thank you, but I'm a bit fearful of writing nostalgic pieces. They stand to come off like The Waltons and become a bit saccharine.

But I may try. I need to get back to trying.

 

[Kyanimal]

I have a 17yr old nephew. The world I knew when I was his age is a far cry from the world he knows. Thing is, there are things about each of our worlds that the other will never understand.

As hard as I might try. As much as I can explain. As vast and intricate as my vocabulary might be. As brilliant as he is. I can not grant him my experiences. There are things he will never know.

On the other hand, there are things about his world I have trouble comprehending. My "ancient" perspectives get in my way. Things he takes for granted are mysteries to me. He can not grant me his experiences.

And, Life goes on ...

 

[me203]

Some fond memories of the local library we used in the 1980s... It was small--the woman who the on-site supervisor (they didn't have a full time on-site librarian) apparently lived in fear that everyone would return all the books checked out at once, which would overwhelm the space. They replaced that library with a new building when I was about 18, which was larger and probably "nicer"--but I never really liked it as much.

I use the library a lot--but I worry about the future... I anticipate service will remain in some form indefinitely--but a lot of things have changed or are changing. They aren't open quite as many hours a week as they were before March 2020, and I have a feeling that the late evening hours will never come back. If anything, I'd expect them to trim open hours more--particularly if a budget crunch hits.

And I wonder about the future of actual books in the library. They still buy current books--but a lot of stuff is only OverDrive e-books. I appreciated the e-books in 2020, when the library was closed--but since I don't have a suitable gadget for reading (I'm limited to a desktop computer), I'd rather borrow real books, thank you. (Of course, if they really want to push e-books, maybe they could buy us some suitable gadget for reading them? But I'm sure they think "no problem--everyone has an iPhone now!!!!!!")

I can imagine, unfortuatnely, a time when they have no physical library--just a web site that allows one to access various services like OverDrive.

 

[Nude_Dude]

I even remember sex before latex.

Who could forget those long halcyon days - and balmy nights ?
I was in a solid LTR, when the "gay plague" hit.
The Mr. and I made "safe sex" pact.
He would get sheathed up for any casual pick-ups.
I would demand mine did the same.
So life stayed "as you were, men"
I still hate "raincoat sex" to this day.
Praise the Lord for PrEP.

 

[NotHardUp1]

To our comments about libraries, perhaps we should begin to think of, and advocate, trusts for our libraries. If counties will continue to chip away at funding, then perhaps the same model communities follow in supporting art, museums, and schools should be employed.

For those of us who have even modest estates and no need to look after direct heirs, we might consider including trusts for local libraries, especially for small towns. In retrospect, one of my favorite things about Albuquerque was how well they funded the local library system, and having built new buildings in multiple locations recently.

I had planned to leave a block of my estate to the university at Leeds that my great-great-great grandfather co-founded. Now, I'm thinking I might revise that plan. I don't have riches, but the modest amount I do have I want to be intentional with.

 

[Nude_Dude]

getting burnt to a crisp because sunblock didn't exist. Now Basal cell cancer.

So sorry to hear that, dude
I hope your ongoing treatments are working for you.

I didn't think so at the time, but I'm so GLAD I was a "fat kid"
so insécure with his rolls of fat, he literally never saw the light (or sunshine) of day.
Meaning I have wrinkled and saggy skin,
but nowhere NEAR that of other dudes my age.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

Statute of limitations. I used to steal books from the library. It felt like I was stealing a painting from the White House I was probably sweating bullets like the swat team was going to drop from the ceiling and tackle me.

 

[Alistair]

Statute of limitations. I used to steal books from the library. It felt like I was stealing a painting from the White House I was probably sweating bullets like the swat team was going to drop from the ceiling and tackle me.

You know, they would have just let you take them if you asked.

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

You know, they would have just let you take them if you asked.

I wasn't going to take that chance! #badboy #thuglife #ididntchoosethethuglife #thethuglifechoseme

 

[fabulouslyghetto]

We're not going to talk about the scholastic book fair. Cargo pants had JUST come out....