Libraries continue to bring important and fond memories to mind for me. As a child, before my hometown library had been transformed to its current splendor, outreach programs into the community introduced me to childhood classics like “James and the Giant Peach,” and a large colorful bus-like vehicle called the Book-mobile helped to promote literary access and I had unfettered (but closely supervised!) access to an amazing collection of historical artifacts about Natick, MA.
As a college-aged student, the library was among the iconic places on our Rochester, NY, campus as the stacks of Rush Rhees towered above the quad and I studied inside the stately reading rooms and climbed the stone steps inside. There, like at the renowned Rotch library in Cambridge, MA, the feeling of being surrounded by vast collections of timeless and cutting-edge knowledge comforted, inspired and intrigued me.
