I am a lover of libraries. I've never been to a library I didn't like on some level. I've been underwhelmed and unenthused. I've disliked many a library inhabitant, finding their loud conversations rude and their takeout smelly. But even this is not enough to quell my love for the library. I'd yell about my love from on top of a table in BioPsych or jumping on the couches in the MacGregor Room during finals.
Like an old dog who hates new tricks, I like things in print. As one who struggles with technology, I like the simplicity of a book. Can I work my iPhone? No. Can I open a book? Yes. I like the sound of pages turning, I like highlighting the pages until they look like a kid high on sugar got loose on a coloring book. I love the smell of old and new books and that sound the spine makes when it cracks. I didn't win the library award, given to the student who checks out the most books, in elementary, middle or high school. I probably wasn't even in the running, but that's because I like to own books.
To be honest, I probably enjoy shopping for and collecting books more than I actually enjoy reading them, but I like knowing I could take a journey to my shelf and walk into a different world. I do like to read, and I credit my dad who read me three books a night or three chapters for fostering this love of reading. Even though at this point in my academic career I'd rather read Cosmo than Chaucer, I'm overjoyed each time I see my roommate having to write a computer program while I get to crack open a book. The library is home to these treasured novels.
It seems so wild to me that libraries can take so many different forms and that they can hold so many things. The library I frequented as a child was bright and decorated with paintings of the most classic children's books and even life-sized statues of the most beloved characters. It was my favorite place in the school. Then I think about the Alderman Map Room, an entirely different place and feel with its muted, dull colors and filing cabinets galore. Libraries hold everything. Where else can you find children's picture books, maps, important documents, the world's greatest novels, computers, CDs, DVDs and encyclopedias?
I even love the library so much, I've thought a great deal about becoming a librarian. I don't want to be the crotchety, snippy, old librarian whom everyone hates; I want to be the cool, fun one everyone loves. I want to see children learn to read and love reading. I want to be the elementary school librarian who teaches, and I want to be the high school librarian who knows all the hot gossip and helps students research. These are just thoughts; I have no firm plans and too many other potential careers to consider. While my possible career goals exist in this nebulous place, my love for the library exists here and now in the bowels of Clemons and the fragile documents in the Small Special Collections Library.
Although my love for the library has remained constant, our time spent together has been sparse this year. I love my apartment so much that I find it difficult to leave. Maybe my roommates and our spontaneous conversations and hours of online window shopping make me want to stay, or maybe it's the change from the cinderblock walls featured prominently in all on-Grounds housing locations that makes me love my apartment so much. But most likely, the library just seems like a trek, especially compared to my real home in old dorms. #thirdyearproblems, I know. I had a stressful week last week, so I found myself in the returning to the comforts of the library. But after Clark consoled me in these stressful times, I remembered all that I was missing. Working in the library makes your work seem more important and legendary, even if I'm really only Facebook stalking. Somehow, amidst the purpose of "getting work done," the library creates a social environment, a place to see and be seen. You could live in the library and be well taken care of - and I guarantee you'd never be bored. Clearly, my love and commitment is back and stronger than ever. Arthur Read, beloved aardvark, television personality, book character and my personal role model, summed it up best: "having fun isn't hard, when you've got a library card."
Abbi's column runs biweekly Tuesdays. She can be reached at a.sigler@cavalierdaily.com.
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