I have a confession, I love libraries.  When I’m visiting a new city I like to check out their library.  Yes, I know this is a little strange.  I’ve heard of people who travel to various cities to see different ballparks or even famous cemeteries,  but honestly have never run across anyone like me who visits libraries.

They can be big libraries taking up whole city blocks, or little neighborhood libraries that might only have one or two rooms.  They can be general topic libraries or even specialty libraries like a law or medical library.  I love the architecture be it old and musty or new and shiny.  I like that their is a sense of familiarity across all libraries.  There will be a periodical section, an area for oversize books, desks with individual lamps and nowadays, computers.  I miss the days of looking through the card catalog to find the location of a book (all hail the Dewey Decimal system!).  The tiny drawers with a claw-hooked handle. A good size library will have an area for children to gather and hear stories.  And a very large library might even have a gift shop!

I can spend hours wandering around a library.  I’ll browse through books I have no intention of reading in full, look through old maps, flip through a trade journal on refrigeration machines.  I have the freedom to pretend to be anyone or do anything I want, except talk loudly of course.  And maybe it is that peace and quiet that really draws me in.  A chance to be in my thoughts.  Nobody expects you to have a conversation in a library.  Nobody assaults you with an inquisitive “Are you looking for something in particular”.  Everyone in the library has their own agenda and that is just fine.  I can loiter all day if I choose.  And if my account is in good standing, I just might bring home some new friends to stay with me for a couple of weeks.

The next time you are in a new city (or even your current town) and are looking for something free to do, check out the library.  And if you find a good one, let me know so I can add that to my “To Visit” list.

-Becky

PS. Don’t forget we are reading The Paris Wife by Paula McLain for discussion later this month.