Aesthetically, our library was a world away from this-- it was on brand for 1980s suburbia--but it was a great place to escape to. I'd spend hours rooting through the magazines, and later the CDs. Not too long after that, I added an obsession with Doonesbury to the list, and the trips would take hours. Our library here is built into a hillside with huge windows that overlook a park. I should go more often.
What you described is just proof that, yes, aesthetics of these spaces can be glorious, but it’s really what transpires inside that matters most. Your Doonesbury mention reminds me of how I raided that section for Calvin and Hobbes, Far Side, Peanuts...learned a lot about comedy in those slim little books 😉
Oh...and the noir thing....:) I am such a fan of that style. I was in an improv show featuring that kind of thing many years ago and had so much fun playing up the tropes and such. Perhaps another installment at some point for sure...we'll see, kid...but don't press your luck. Press your tie to impress a dame, sure, but don't ever press your luck. ;)
I was taking a page out of your book with my footnotes. Yours are like getting awesome bonus reads right. in. the. damn. piece! David Foster Wallace approves! Yeah..Nat Geo was naked-functional all the way....I stand by it :)
BPL is a gem!! I loved it when I visited 8 years ago, I have like 7 or so Boston photos out of the shit ton that I snapped which I put on my Insta, and 3 of them are just from the library alone or the garden right in front. CANNOT WAIT to buy *Boston and Beyond*. You, libraries, and your captions are my favorite!
P.S. Denver Public Library is also amazing, more modern and the starchitect was Michael Graves. You should come!
Marmi--library road trip tour 2024!!! YESSSSSS!! I am in! I would love to explore the DPL for sure. The first time I visited Boston's library, maybe only 5 or 6 years ago as well, my jaw was on the floor. That's another place that I would tell everyone to go when they are in the city. Do not question...just go! Also--now amazing foodie spots AND nice bathrooms! WIN!! X!
Love this. And now to the BPL tea room booze place I must go! And now I'm remembering my childhood library- my favorite place- in North Reading (aka No. Reading)....xo
Yay!! Thanks my friend! Yes..the Map Room Lounge is worth a visit as is the entire damn library. We need to squeeze these places tight and fight for every square inch! XO
I was transported back to the Kelly library reading this! I remember a display in the downstairs lobby of The Velveteen Rabbit while waiting for my mom at the base of the stairs to to the second floor.
That makes me soooo happy! I spent a billion hours at Kelly as well..both as a kid and a young adult. It's still a modest space and deserves a major upgrade (priorities, town!), but remains quite mighty. Nothing but love for that place and everyone who has worked hard to make it a safe, rich space to belong. X!
Aesthetically, our library was a world away from this-- it was on brand for 1980s suburbia--but it was a great place to escape to. I'd spend hours rooting through the magazines, and later the CDs. Not too long after that, I added an obsession with Doonesbury to the list, and the trips would take hours. Our library here is built into a hillside with huge windows that overlook a park. I should go more often.
What you described is just proof that, yes, aesthetics of these spaces can be glorious, but it’s really what transpires inside that matters most. Your Doonesbury mention reminds me of how I raided that section for Calvin and Hobbes, Far Side, Peanuts...learned a lot about comedy in those slim little books 😉
Footnotes! I love them so. There was NOTHING sexy about the National Geography nudity, but we looked anyway.
I'm a big fan of this library noir genre you just invented! :D
Oh...and the noir thing....:) I am such a fan of that style. I was in an improv show featuring that kind of thing many years ago and had so much fun playing up the tropes and such. Perhaps another installment at some point for sure...we'll see, kid...but don't press your luck. Press your tie to impress a dame, sure, but don't ever press your luck. ;)
Boris and Natasha noir for Christmas. 🙏🏻🤌🏻
Oohhhhh...challenge possibly accepted!!! :)
I was taking a page out of your book with my footnotes. Yours are like getting awesome bonus reads right. in. the. damn. piece! David Foster Wallace approves! Yeah..Nat Geo was naked-functional all the way....I stand by it :)
BPL is a gem!! I loved it when I visited 8 years ago, I have like 7 or so Boston photos out of the shit ton that I snapped which I put on my Insta, and 3 of them are just from the library alone or the garden right in front. CANNOT WAIT to buy *Boston and Beyond*. You, libraries, and your captions are my favorite!
P.S. Denver Public Library is also amazing, more modern and the starchitect was Michael Graves. You should come!
Marmi--library road trip tour 2024!!! YESSSSSS!! I am in! I would love to explore the DPL for sure. The first time I visited Boston's library, maybe only 5 or 6 years ago as well, my jaw was on the floor. That's another place that I would tell everyone to go when they are in the city. Do not question...just go! Also--now amazing foodie spots AND nice bathrooms! WIN!! X!
Love this. And now to the BPL tea room booze place I must go! And now I'm remembering my childhood library- my favorite place- in North Reading (aka No. Reading)....xo
Yay!! Thanks my friend! Yes..the Map Room Lounge is worth a visit as is the entire damn library. We need to squeeze these places tight and fight for every square inch! XO
I was transported back to the Kelly library reading this! I remember a display in the downstairs lobby of The Velveteen Rabbit while waiting for my mom at the base of the stairs to to the second floor.
That makes me soooo happy! I spent a billion hours at Kelly as well..both as a kid and a young adult. It's still a modest space and deserves a major upgrade (priorities, town!), but remains quite mighty. Nothing but love for that place and everyone who has worked hard to make it a safe, rich space to belong. X!