The first time I stepped into Milwaukee’s central public library, I remember feeling how vast it was, the soaring ceiling in the lobby, the veined marble stairways but it was special collections that really sold me on the place. Branch libraries back in Chicago and Chicago suburbs had nothing like this, big massive books on the arts, books that with faded check-out slips dating back to the 1990s available for check-out!
The best kept secret must be the book shop. It’s filled with affordable antiques. My favorite purchase was two old electric rail line in-house magazines from the 1920s. Tattered, they were 25 cents apiece. I left the rest of the stack, regretted it, came back, found out someone one bought the remainder. At least the new owner donated them to the rightful owner, the East Troy Rail Museum, where vintage electric trains live and run.
I also loved the monthlyArt Club where the librarians put out tables upon tables of art books according to that month’s themes. One month, it’ll be flowers, another, animals and so. on. No other public library in the country (that I know of) does this. No gloves required, just gentle handling and love of books.
My toughest moments with the library were in the middle of the global pandemic, where you were required to wear a face mask to enter the facilitiy. I was confronted by a security guard one day; he said I wasn’t wear the mask properly (upper edge above the nose). I said I was, made a fuss and went about my business of checking out books, when I was met on the way out by two police officers, who’d been called to escort me off the premises.
I was so shaken by the incident that I left immediately with my haul. I promptly wrote to the Library Director and of course, she never responded. It took me a while to re-enter the library again. I didn’t want a confrontation with a security guard again.
I’ve returned to the library for special talks, tours and of course, the book store. I actually borrowed a few books this past week, that I know I will not finish because I will be returning them Saturday. Some of those suggestions, I scanned a few pages (“Mariette in Ecsasty” I couldn’t get past the provocative cover) read a few pages, and just said, ‘nope!’ On Monday I took a book on how to read poetry at the Wawautosa Public Library.
There are no more 15-minute visits to the Central library, just returning a lot of books, sad for me. Last night I dreamed I missed boarding a ship. Multiple interpretations for that one.
In the bookshop, I went looking for James Thurber books, instead I found a Steve Allen record. I bought it for a $1. It’s going on a 1960s-style record-album stand that I’m creating using a never-used tension-pole. I’m super excited about it, bought it from a fellow collector on Facebook. I need a few geegaws off of Amazon, but I hope to have it assembled by next week in my new home (more on that next week). Mine will look something like this vintage version for sale on Etsy.
Of all the libraries I’ve loved in my life, I’m most nostaglic about the one I visited from the moment I got a library card. My local library was a block away, and I visited often, worked as a shelving clerk and volunteered in the summer reading program.
I wish, wish and wish I had pictures of me in the Glenview Public Library as it looked through the 1990s, before it was demolished for the new building. I actually took a few snaps, but I lost then when a hard drive crashed on a earlier computer. Now I know better and save everything to iCloud.
Here’s me returning books for the last time in the library’s drive through. I’m wearing my moving hat, a vintage cap that I’ve rarely worn. I’ve a slight smile, but I was sad to be dropping off books for the last time. I didn’t even bother heading inside like I usually do. It would just feel too sad. Better to go through the drive-through.
If you could go back in time to your favorite library, which one would it be?
I would go back to the library I did work experience in when I was 16! It was amazing to see behind the scenes, and of course I singled out my favourite books for the displays!
Hi Mary Beth!
Where are you off to? I had to look up "The French Ingredient" and found copies as low as $6.39.
Do you also buy books? Once when I moved, I had to contend with 12 boxes of books. Hope to hear of your next adventure soon! pamg