Well where else would I go on such a day?
I’ve spent the last couple of Saturdays working in my local library. I love to go there when I want to really concentrate on writing something. I love too the serendipity of finding what I didn’t even know I was looking for when accidentally sat next to an unfamiliar bit of library. These are sacred places.
But today I decided on a change. Decided I’d get the bus down to Liverpool Central Library. The new camera’s not been there yet so is naturally keen on a good look round.
Don’t worry, we are walking towards the library. I’m ‘putting it in context!’
Said by some to be our third Cathedral.
And of course many take that photograph.
They’re librarians and you simply can’t run something like this without them. This is not the bookshelves at the back of an Oxfam. Cheerfully stocked by willing volunteers.
We’ve reached Liverpool’s main Storehouse of our Memories.
Here are also the precious books of our place.
We know know they’ll all be kept open somehow. But we still await details of how. And in some cases, who by. I’m watching carefully as we all are.
And most night’s the library’s open late, unlike the local ones now we have the gift of austerity dumped on us. But on Saturday even here closes at five. So I walk through town to get the bus home.
I go into no shops myself. As ever, I don’t feel the need.
On National Libraries Day, long may they thrive.
I was there myself today. One of my favourite places to be. Before it was closed for the rebuild I would spend most of my Saturday afternoons there. I no longer feel the urge to linger long there now, and I rarely go into town – though forced to do so because of the truncated hours of my local library.
My dad took us to the town library when we were kids every Saturday. I thought it a magical place then and still do.
Thank you for a great tribute to a wonderful place.
Thank you, though sorry to hear you don’t linger there long any more.
You remind me of why I wanted to become a librarian – and did, only to have that quashed by harsh economic “realities” imposed by an earlier Austerity-minded Government. I think that there are some politicians who should be bought to public trial as Enemies of Civilization.
I know what you mean. In my own quiet moments of dreaming and caring I’m always a librarian and or a DJ. “Yes, I think what I’m going to prescribe is a week of Bleak House, a meander through social history and ‘New Books’ – plus the best of Howlin’ Wolf and a light infusion of Erik Satie. That should see you right.” If only.
Wonderful post, Ronnie and great tribute to an inspiring and seems thoughtfully and well laid out building. Beautiful buildings like this will always lift the spirits on entering. Love the views from the rooftops. A new perspective. And I love the Saturday afternoon curlers….but not the ghastly pink tracky, I’m afraid! Good job we don’t all have the same taste!
Thanks Lindsay, it is a sort of cathedral really.
What fantastic pictures! I miss my local library because I can’t drive due to a seizure. I get friends to drive me to doctor appointments and grocery stores, but feel I can’t ask them just to take me to the library. If I could walk there, I would. Just the smell of old and new books brings back my sense of wonder and adventure. x
Dear Jan, I would drive you to the library if you were here and I think your friends would too if you asked them. Love is not finite and you are entitled to feel that sense of wonder and adventure again. x
Another of my favourite walks of yours. Each place has memories of past and present. Thank goodness you took photos of Lime Street now sadly demolished. Another must Share. Thank you. xx
Thanks Pauline. I was taking with a friend who’s a photographer recently about this ‘street’ thing we do and the value of it for this city, any city’s, sense of itself. Pretty much a municipal responsibility to record a place when major change, popular or not, is planned?