Libraries - Tues., April 14, 2015

Since this is National Library Week, it's appropriate to use the "L" word to honor libraries and librarians. On a personal note, I love libraries.

San Antonio Public Library

When we were kids, my mom took us to the library in La Mirada, California. It wasn't a big, fancy library, but it opened up a whole new world of reading and using my imagination. I graduated pretty quickly from reading all the Nancy Drew books I could get my hands on, to reading Daphne du Maurier and Gothic romantic-suspense novelist, Mary Stewart, who died last year.

Mary Stewart made the biggest impression on me and I read Gothic romance novels for years. I especially enjoyed "Wildfire at Midnight," "The Moon Spinners" (which was made into a movie starring Hayley Mills), and "Airs Above the Ground," (about the Lipizzaner stallions).

In high school and college, I worked in the libraries, mostly as a page (shelving books), but also was responsible for creating the window exhibits each month. In college, I was responsible for sending periodicals out to be bound. At one point, I wanted to become a librarian. Unfortunately, I did not. I would have enjoyed it immensely.

Libraries in general have been a mainstay in the free lending of books, music and movies. Now, most libraries offer free internet connectivity as well. A wealth of knowledge, entertainment and education awaits at the public library.

While it's true that a majority of people have the internet, that is not always free. It's great to have libraries as an alternative choice for online browsing.

Libraries usually have many newspapers, magazines and reference materials available to read while you're there. Most libraries offer free adult lectures and children's programs as well.

It remains to be seen how libraries will fare with so many Kindles and e-readers in use. I have not had a library card since we lived in Hawaii. Bob has a San Antonio library card and uses it regularly to check out audio books he can listen to while he drives to and from work.

Our local library is in charge of "drive-in movies," at a refurbished, historic drive-in movie theater. Only thing is, at this drive in, you walk in with your lawn chairs, snacks, drinks and a blanket. The ground is now grassy lawn, but the movie is still projected up onto the drive-in movie theater screen. The movies are shown monthly in spring, summer and fall.

In honor of National Library Week, kudos to all the librarians who make learning such an enjoyable experience.