Mar. 1st, 2009 01:22 pm

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textualdeviance: (reading)
[personal profile] textualdeviance
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.

Washoe County Library


Reno Library





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.
Date: 2009-03-01 10:21 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] havdrake.livejournal.com
My god! Plants, fountains and books.... I want to move in there!

And yes, by the way, spring break is coming and I want to plan something with you. Smooch.
Date: 2009-03-01 10:32 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] van.livejournal.com
... if I won the lottery, I would have a room like this in my house. Wow.
Date: 2009-03-01 11:45 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] rebeccama.livejournal.com
That looks like a wonderful library.
Date: 2009-03-02 01:42 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] rosmar.livejournal.com
What a fabulous library! It reminds me of the one I grew up with in Idaho Falls, ID (just very much smaller and more modest!).

I love libraries. I visit the SPL every few weeks to get more books or just walk around, and when I'm vacationing, the main library is always on my agenda. I hope e-books don't make libraries go away, although with the economy the way it is, and libraries still free and subsisting on public funds, I think they might be okay.
Date: 2009-03-04 08:44 pm (UTC)

From: [identity profile] bratqueen8.livejournal.com
What a beautiful place! I can imagine this is a likely place for a person to escape to find peace amongst the plant life, gentle sounds of water, and a good book to read!

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