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Something today reminded me of the library I used to spend a lot of time at when I was a kid.
It was really cool--probably one of the only truly awesome places in Reno, actually.
( More pics )
I can still hear the sound of the fountains and artificial creek running through the place. And I remember getting dizzy going up to the top of the spiral staircase and looking down through the middle of it.
What with so much research and information being available online, and now things like the Kindle gaining popularity, libraries are probably less interesting to a lot of folks. I admit that I'm a little ashamed that I haven't spent much time inside one in a while, myself. I think the last time was when I was looking for an archived newspaper at the DT Seattle one (which is, in itself, pretty awesome.) Other than that, maybe just a few minutes inside the campus library at WWU, and that's about it.
I'm not remotely a Luddite or a book snob, so I'm not going to piss on the Kindle or anything. I think anything that gets people to read more and learn more is a good thing. But there really is a unique and valuable experience to be had when one is surrounded by the physical presence of books. And not just the popular stuff Bunns and Noodle stocks, but the vast archives of old and obscure stuff you just can't find outside a library or certain exceptional bookstores (like Powell's.) One may be able to find much of the information contained in those volumes, but the experience itself just can't be found in digital form.
I miss it.
It was really cool--probably one of the only truly awesome places in Reno, actually.
( More pics )
I can still hear the sound of the fountains and artificial creek running through the place. And I remember getting dizzy going up to the top of the spiral staircase and looking down through the middle of it.
What with so much research and information being available online, and now things like the Kindle gaining popularity, libraries are probably less interesting to a lot of folks. I admit that I'm a little ashamed that I haven't spent much time inside one in a while, myself. I think the last time was when I was looking for an archived newspaper at the DT Seattle one (which is, in itself, pretty awesome.) Other than that, maybe just a few minutes inside the campus library at WWU, and that's about it.
I'm not remotely a Luddite or a book snob, so I'm not going to piss on the Kindle or anything. I think anything that gets people to read more and learn more is a good thing. But there really is a unique and valuable experience to be had when one is surrounded by the physical presence of books. And not just the popular stuff Bunns and Noodle stocks, but the vast archives of old and obscure stuff you just can't find outside a library or certain exceptional bookstores (like Powell's.) One may be able to find much of the information contained in those volumes, but the experience itself just can't be found in digital form.
I miss it.
