Late to the Library

When I was young I rarely went to the library. I preferred to spend my afternoons outside than in a book. Thats what my sister did: she stayed at home reading books. Not for me. I was going out into the world (or at least the neighborhood) to live my own story. At least, that's how I saw it.

But I loved movies-I could disappear into a story on screen. In college I studied film production and later got a master's degree in screenwriting, because I loved telling stories. It was then that I came to appreciate the library. The library was a quiet place to study, I could rent movies, and I finally discovered books. In fact, some of my favorite films were adaptations from books.

My first book was published past year, and I have the library to thank. The library was a quiet place where I could retreat from the noise in my own life and do what I loved to do--write.  I wrote half my book at the public library. I found books that inspired my own writing. And I saw people of every age and ethnicity doing the same: studying, reading, writing, or just enjoying the quiet. Well, it was mostly quiet. Sometimes it got noisy, like a half hour after the local schools adjourned and the place got flooded with students.  Mostly Asian students. Hate to tell ya, but the children of immigrants will be running our companies in 30 years.  They don't mess around.

The library isn't just for readers of books. It's a place for movie watchers, students, job seekers, and researchers. (Sometimes it's a haven for the homeless. But as long as they're quiet and don't smell too bad, I say let them stay). The library is a wealth of information in nearly every medium: books, periodicals, magazines, online access, DVD rental ... etc.  And the library is still one of the best places to retreat from the noise of life, disappear into someone else's story, or write your own.

And it's free.

Dear Library: It took me a while to love you. Thanks for staying open all those years.