library poll

Note my sister's artwork!


My sister was asked to do the summer reading program poster for the Toronto Public Library system last year, and they liked her artwork so much they decided to revamp ALL Toronto public library cards for young readers with the picture. This means that from now on anyone 18 years old and younger in the Greater Toronto Area who needs a library card will get one with Ruth's artwork on it. I have such a cool sister.

A survey for you fellow book-lovers out there: when was the last time you were in a library? What is your favorite library and why? Do you have an active library card?

My favorite libraries, in no particular order:

Northern District Library
- large children's literature section, lots of tables
- part of the Toronto public library system

Metro Reference Library
- biggest public library in Toronto

Robarts Library
- University of Toronto library...was a central hangout for me and my university friends.

Goethe Institut library
- free lending library of German language books, videos

D'Youville College Library
- Lots of work space, power outlets and natural light
- cute reference librarian ;-)

I confess to an obsession with libraries. Just seeing the word "Library" in a sign makes my fingers twitch, my breath quicken, even if it's a collection specializing in an obscure academic topic about which I know nothing. Just the IDEA of looking at the shelves and shelves of books fills me with anticipatory joy. Add the words "book sale" and I start frothing at the mouth.

Don't get me wrong ... I love bookstores with a passion as well. But libraries are different. They want you to walk out their front door with armloads of books and magazines and videos without paying a cent. They carry all your old childhood favorites, musty-smelling and dog-eared and loved.

I love taking my laptop and working in a library, finding a secluded cubicle or table, surrounded by books and knowledge. No refrigerator or coffee machine to distract, the inspiration of feverish-looking students poring over their textbooks and notes. Sadly, using ViaVoice in a library is not too practical, so I will have to wait until my arms heal.

THANK YOU to Gary McGath for mailing me two issues of a German educational kids' magazine called GeoLino for reading practice! The magazine looks like fun and I can actually pick out words here and there, more than I expected.

November/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ