I elected to stop here the other day.
Not scared off by the lions that adorn the front steps, I've wandered through the hallways and floors of the New York Public Library at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street. Growing up, I loved that I could jump on my bike pedal up Stevens and down Pleasant to the Burbank Branch Library and could 'hide' in the one room for hours amid the smell of books. The choices I left with were always of the hardcover variety. I never held a paperback in my hands until I walked the halls of Lincoln Junior High. As I remember, there seemed to be an explosion of the marketing of paperbacks somewhere in the 50's which continues. Today, they are everywhere from the big online conglomerate like Amazon, in small, local bookshops that still survive, to my local grocery store where they line them up the Top 20 paperbacks from someone's list. Other than carrying a book stuffed in my back pocket on the way to high school, the Little Free Library pictured here is the smallest library I've ever stumbled across in the area. I checked it out the other day. I twisted the latch and 'walked in'. I moved my way through the selections but found none that piqued my interest, so I moved on. By the way, it was the first library that I was ever in that had no circulation desk, no display of my library card needed and you didn't even have to leave another book behind. A simple note on the top said something to the effect of 'take a book, enjoy, bring another one back to replace'.
That's my kind of place.
No pressure there.
Libraries, gotta love them.
Book 'em!
Ii've been in love with these little libraries since I first saw one, and so proud that it started in nearby Wisconsin. . .a very interesting history. Libraries have always been my friends and I love them more each day because of the way they have evolved. Best of all they provide such wonderful services to their communities. Cannot wait for the reopening of our newly renovated library on the 16th. Plan to walk in with me as I post new photos!! PS. How's the weather there today?
ReplyDeleteI received a copy of the new William Gibson novel yesterday. Always nice to sit in the favorite easy chair on a dark Autumn evening enjoying a new book and a cup of coffee.
ReplyDeletei love that those are spreading in suburbia. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the little library on the curb. I haven't seen one yet. Great photo!
ReplyDeleteDon't you mean "Book 'em, Danno"? :-) Every year there is a giant book sale here put together by VNSA (volunteer non-profit service assoc.). When I was preparing to move to a smaller place, I knew I had to get rid of a lot of books so I contacted the VNSA people and they picked up 10 boxes of books from my house. VNSA and Goodwill both made out pretty well when I moved.
ReplyDeleteI love this! There are a few of them here, but I have never stopped.
ReplyDeleteThere is one near me in West Hartford. I am in leaving-many-taking-back-nothing mode. Both houses are full to the brim with books. I went to the local library to vote last week and even took out a book (Daniel Silva novel). If I stop buying books, the national book industry will crater.
ReplyDeleteI used to love libraries but somehow I can't curl up with a book these days and it isn't because I spend time online - i think i have somehow become satiated.
ReplyDeleteThis could be very useful...
ReplyDeleteI now have 4 of these within walking distance but so far I have only picked up one book. I've been dropping off some and check them out every time I go by but if it is my taste, I seem to have already read it.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few of these around on blogs. Unfortunately, I think it would be destroyed/graffitied/stolen here very quickly...
ReplyDeleteLuv those little libraries. . . .luv the big ones, too. . . and the intermediate ones . . . and . . . xx
ReplyDeleteThis one's a cute little library. I haven't seen one in my neck of the woods though.
ReplyDeleteI found one of these today and was thrilled. It was raining though, so I didn't actually get out of my car and see what was on offer, but I will go back.
ReplyDeleteOh, how little libraries make my heart swoon.
ReplyDeletei haven't seen one of these in my area...only in my bloggie world...i want to start one...remind me to google this tomorrow! and oh, i voted!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of this. Unlikely I will see one in my area, though.
ReplyDeleteI love the little free libraries but they won't replace the warm fuzzy feeling I have towards the big kind, though they've changed over the years. There's an internet joke picture circulating with a woman pawing through an old card catalog. It's entitled "pre-Google search." Heck, that was the go-to spot in my college days.
ReplyDeleteThey are so cool.
ReplyDeleteThe little libraries are extremely popular out this way. So far, I've given (3) more than I've taken (0), but that's ok. It's only a matter of time.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fabulous that more and more of these are popping up!
ReplyDeleteLove how you "walked in" to the miniature library! Love these little guys. We have at least one in Belfast & I think there's one in SoPo too...Like Sharon, I love libraries, all sizes. You've reminded me of the thrill I had reading my first paperback, I think it was in high school, maybe Gone With the Wind or To Kill a Mockingbird...Seemed so grown up...
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