Remembering the Library

In a way, every library since the first one I remember has been a let down. The Huntington Beach Public Library had everything- fountains, computers, plants, it was in a beautiful park, had conference rooms and a theater, and a snack area. Even though it was huge, there were plenty of little nooks and crannies you could hide away and read. Back when I went there as a kid, you could rent an hour of computer time for (I think) a quarter. I used to play Oregon trail for hours on end.

I loved the building, I loved that it was all glass on the outside so I could look out at the park. I loved the stacks in the middle- that you could see all three stories of books. I loved the children’s area, which had it’s own, separate, storytime theater. There was an art exhibit area as well, and the reference area was massive- I used to go through old magazines (I mostly liked looking at the ads) on microfilm for fun. My first job was at the library, working in the children’s section. I loved being around books all day, and I got rather buff from lifting them. My hands were always filthy, though. I took home fairy tale books all the time, and I still love the illustrations in children’s books.

I don’t know how they pulled off such a fantastic library, but I wish every city could have one like that. Don’t get me wrong, I like the libraries here, but there isn’t really any magic there.

I’m such a dork that I want to go visit the HB library when I go on vacation in Southern California this year.