Thursday, April 14, 2011

L is for Library

L is for Library

I used to live within walking distance of a Barnes and Noble. That was dangerous. Fortunately I discovered if I walked a little farther I was also within walking distance of a library. (I've spent a lot of my life within walking distance of libraries. I am Lucky)

When I decided to get serious about writing I thought I had to have a degree that said I was qualified to write. This was silly to think but I live near Hamline and they have an MFA in Writing for Children so you can see where the confusion would come from. (I'm not saying anything bad about MFAs. If I had more money I would want one too.)

I am truly lucky to live in the same city as The Loft Literary Center. A wonderful place for writers to take classes and learn more about the craft. I take classes here but would often get discouraged if I couldn't find a class to fit my need/ interests.

If I couldn't take classes and didn't have a fancy degree then how could I write a book?

It turns out what I needed was something I'd had since I was in first grade. My library card.
I was no stranger to the library. I spent my teen years there since I was on the debate team. Besides books the library also had music. I loved my library's CD's. It was here I discovered The Replacements and other music that was awesome.

I started visiting my library again. Over the next couple years I checked out books from the Children's, middle grade and YA section. I also checked out books on writing. Every trip to the library I made my way back to the writing section for a new book. These books were free. This knowledge was free.
I didn't let the fact that I wasn't in class or couldn't afford to go back to school for an MFA stop me from learning.
I realized that there were a lot of opportunities for learning and I just had to grasp them. I joined SCBWI. I go to workshops. I read. I follow blogs. I read.(yeah I know I said that twice) I write. I visit my library. I follow blogs. I read. I embrace any opportunity I can to learn.

Library cards are more awesome than you can imagine. Go here to see all the awesome things you can do with your library card.

It's National Library Week this week. Celebrate by visiting your local library. They have more than books there. They have DVD's, music, magazines and puppets.

Did you know that more and more people are using libraries these days? At most libraries $25 buys a book. Support your library and the authors you love. Give to your library.

10 comments:

Alicia Gregoire said...

I love my library, but don't use it as often as I should. I go there to write and hang out in the cafe, but I have so many books at home currently I don't need to take any out. Once that TBR dwindles, that will change.

Julie Flanders said...

As a librarian, I totally love this post for L. I've always loved libraries anyway, but I've recently been reading more again, and my local library is such a blessing. Great post!

SaraToday said...

I haven't been to the library in months. Thanks for the reminder.

Michelle Mach said...

Yay for libraries! It is an especially great thing to be within walking distance of a library. I go to my local library all the time. I could never afford to buy all the books I want to read.

P.S. I wrote about librarians for my "L" post.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

libraries are crilliant and I love that they are starting to pick up ebooks now. Yay!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

brilliant, even (rawr for typos)

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

My library and I have an awesome relationship. Love it. Love libraries. and librarians. they are so so supportive of me and my book.

You should mention my library blogfest!

Mary Aalgaard said...

L is for libraries! Yay!

Nicole said...

I agree. Libraries should be supported more. I have always gone to libraries since I was a kid and continue to do so.

I wish more people went to the libraries. It doesn't seem that way in the city where I am.

The only people around here who go to the libraries are students and adults who want to use the computer facilities.

I think only a small portion of them actually utilize other resources at the library and I think it's a darn shame.

I have noticed a lot of adults going to the local libraries to find and apply for jobs, so I guess the library has been good for them, as far as the job search thing goes.

The Madlab Post

J.L. Campbell said...

I used to spend a lot of time inside the library when I was in school. Nowadays not so often. I keep promising to take my son to have him join.