Bestest Friend and I are doing a blog project. Every day we will write a blog post on a pre-determined theme chosen by a random noun generator. The theme for the thirtieth day of the month is "Depression."
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Recently, Stephany wrote "I'm not sure what libraries are like where you are, but here in Florida, ours do not have cozy nooks where I can lie down and read nor can I bring in outside food. GTFO with that nonsense." I was immediately puzzled because that is exactly what my public library is like! You can bring in food! There are cozy nooks! There are fireplaces!
You all know I love the public library. I've never made a secret of that. So I'm going to spend this post talking about the opposite of depression - that is, the place that makes me happy no matter what is otherwise going on in my life. Welcome to Nowhere, Wisconsin's public library.
First up, let's look at the teen room. It's small, but it's mighty. The middle school is blocks away from the library and if you come here between 2:45 and 4:00pm, it is swarmed with youths.
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| The welcome sign! Swans! |
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| Note the child laying down in the booth! There is more space to the left, but there were identifiable children there, so you can't see the bean bags and additional booth seating. |
On my way upstairs, I passed a guy with a giant cup from McDonald's.
Fireplace #1:
Fireplace #2:
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| Also, the leftmost table is the jigsaw puzzle table. Look at the light coming in from those windows! That woman was drinking a coffee from the coffee shop across the street. |
You want cozy reading nooks?
There are more nooks, but I was really trying not to get photos with people in them.
Hey, but what about the little kids? OH MY GOD. LOOK AT THIS SPACE.
So, yeah, Stephany. I have a library where I can bring in my lunch, snuggle up in a cozy chair, and do whatever I want. Not to brag, but my town's library is pretty awesome.
What's the best feature of your library?
I've never been to a library that allowed food but I'm all in favor of it. The only negative thing that I've ever experienced in a library is that since it's a place that's open to all to hang out, sometimes the people who are hanging out can be a little creepy but that's not a problem that's unique to libraries.
ReplyDeleteThe best part of my libraries is that there are so many of them. I live in a suburban area and there's a wide range of branches for the three large library systems in the area.
Last weekend when I went back to my childhood home of Champaign Urbana I visited both of my childhood libraries and was so happy that they're both booming. The children's section at the Urbana library was very similar to how it was back in my day and it's such a wonderful space. I'm not saying that growing up with good libraries is why I'm a reader, but it sure didn't hurt anything.
Okay, I'm going to have to be more transparent about the food rules. I don't really know what they are - I've never seen signs up about no food or drink and I've never seen anyone asked to remove food. So. Maybe it's not explicitly forbidden?
DeleteOur town is small enough that this is the only library we have, but there's a public library in each of the small towns near us and they're all connected, so the best part is that they share their catalog and so books are usually pretty easily accessible, outside of the rare new release.
Wow, that is a really exceptional library. The downtown library here is very fancy but I never go to it because I have a perfectly good branch only a five minute walk away. I don't really spend much time there - I just grab my holds, basically - but I did when the kids were little and they had nice beanbag seating, etc. It's even better now as they always have something set up for littles, like a train or a big puzzle or something. There is seating but no fireplace at my branch, but there is a room for community activities. I have no idea if food is allowed or not. Maybe lidded beverages are? I really don't know.
ReplyDeleteOur library has a community room that is free to reserve! One of my friends is on the library board and she said that it's really a popular alternative for people who are getting married on a budget as a reception location. I think that's super clever and smart and if you had a book-themed wedding, it would be perfect.
DeleteOur library is NOT like that. I'm grateful to have it, but I would never go there to hang out- it's just not very inviting (and definitely doesn't allow food.). But reading your post reminded me of the library where I grew up (in Illinois.) My best friend and I would ride our bikes there on a Saturday, stopping on the way for candy. Then we would each gather a stack of books and go to a cozy alcove where we would sit all afternoon, reading and eating our bags of candy. Of course I didn't appreciate it at the time, but the library was a beautiful old building, and our alcove had nice comfortable chairs. I just took it for granted. One of these days when I go back there, I'll have to visit the library and see what it's like now.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with whether or not it's a good idea to go back to things that were important to me as a child. It could be underwhelming and then would it taint all your good memories?l!
DeleteOur library is very small; it's adorable (in an old railroad station building), but doesn't really have cozy reading nooks at all and definitely no fireplaces. They always have a fun little corner for kids (sometimes a play fort and toys and there is a much-loved play kitchen)...but it's small. And the only real seating area is right by the main doors, so it's not quiet at all.
ReplyDeleteI might spend more time reading at my library if it was as welcoming as yours. When my kids were little it was perfect for our needs and we spent a lot of time there, but now I mostly go to get my books and look wistfully at all the toddlers in the kids section and remember fondly our MANY hours spent there in days gone by.
I will say that a downside to our library is that it is never quiet. Between programming for families, the wave of middle schoolers, and evening programs, there's always something happening and it's rarely quiet. I honestly don't hang out there much because of that. However, I LOVE that so many people do things at the library, so I'm not complaining at all!
DeleteI haven't been to our physical library in forever. I should go.
ReplyDeleteWell, if it doesn't really serve your needs, there's no need to go! But I do know they get funding based on how many people come in the doors and interact with the librarians, so if you have some extra time, it would probably be a good thing to make sure your library stays well-funded.
DeleteOh, this is so lovely. I like our library but it is definitely missing the coziness of yours.
ReplyDeleteI feel lucky to be in a community that supports our library so fully.
DeleteThat is quite the spacious and appealing library. Ours pretty well just has room for books.
ReplyDeleteOur library has really pared down its collection to make space for computers and community spaces. I think a lot of libraries are overstuffed with books that aren't widely circulated and many libraries could do with fewer shelves and more overstuffed chairs!
DeleteI love our library but it is NOT like yours. I don't think food is allowed. I think you can have a covered beverage but I'm not positive on that. There is an adult area where they always have a puzzle going so we usually stop by that area and take a peak at the in-progress puzzle. But there aren't a lot of seating options like yours! The best part of our library is the kids area. They have toys that they swap out every couple of months and there is usually a seasonally themed search and find each month. It is VERY VERY busy on the weekends!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Minneapolis, I used the downtown branch as my go-to library and there were very strict no food and drink rules! I wonder if it's just that so many people go to those Minneapolis branches, whereas the foot traffic is significantly lower at our library?
DeleteYour Library is lovely!!
ReplyDeleteOurs is so nice. Well, we actually have four in our town, all very nice, but different. There is always some local art & cozy reading nooks. Not so sure about the food part, but I know you an bring in coffee and water.
I love hearing about other people having lovely libraries. I just want everyone to have a wonderful community space that celebrates books.
DeleteI love the tour of your library!!! I miss using ours. I didn't realize we don't pay taxes that support the library since we live in an unincorporated area. it's $150 a year so I use a different cheaper on online in another state for Libby purposes. But I loved using it before they/I realized that!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what I would do if I couldn't access our library resources. I cannot afford my reading habit! I'm glad you found a solution that works for you.
DeleteA lovely library, indeed. We have a relatively big library in my town and the best feature is the children's section downstairs. It has a theme -Rainforest- and continuously offers events for a variety of ages. We come at least once a week. There are also toys and games free to use. Benches and chairs, of course. But best of all, our library employs helpful library workers that genuinely enjoy working with you people. When a major transition is coming up with my kids (i.e. bridging to pre-school or an issue with a sibling) I reach out to one of the library workers and ask for book recommendations that may address openly or nonchalantly said issue.
ReplyDeleteLibrarians are such great resources. I adore our librarians and ask them all sorts of questions that they never judge me about. Ha! The library director and I have had a couple of conversations about dragons in fantasy books and he can really hang with me on nerdom. They certainly don't go into that career field for money, so I definitely enjoy their expertise!
DeleteOkay, NGS, I think you have a magical unicorn library and I AM SO JEALOUS. I was GASPING at these photos. What a cozy, inviting space. I think I should note that my closest library is a smaller branch one that would probably fit into your youth room, lol. I just go there to pick up my holds and that's it. We have larger libraries that may be set up better, but they are at least 30 minutes away and that doesn't feel worth the drive, sigh.
ReplyDeleteWell, it IS magical to me, that's for sure! If you come visit me, we can spend all the time there you want!
Delete*looks on Google maps to see if she can find this magical library... it can't be far...* :)
ReplyDeleteConfession: I have been to the bricks-and-mortar library x2: Once to get my library card, and once (to another branch) to renew it. I'm terrible, I know. I don't know how Sarah manages to get the system to work for her - I can literally never find anything that I want to read. Even when I go for "Available Immediately". You'd think with the length of my TBR... Anyway, my envy continues.
You live within 40 minutes of this magical place! If you ever come to my town, you can go there!
DeleteI think patience is the key with library systems. I almost always wait for books to come and (at least in my more rural system), holds for physical books come in faster than for shorter books. So, if you're not really able or willing to go to branches to pick up physical books, it's probably not worth it.
BUT. You have access to the entire UWW library and their catalog is extensive and even if you have to use ILL, there's not really much of a reason for you to use the public library system unless you want to!
*UW, I mean.
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