Libraries I have Loved (long post)

One of my current concerns is around the declining state of libraries today. Closures in Britain, lack of funds in South Africa, and so forth. It's sad and worrying.

I love libraries. Yesterday was our 'bookmobile' day and I'm so grateful to have this facility. When we were looking for our previous home, one of my (few) criteria was to be within walking distance of the library in Richmond Hill. And we were. And it was a marvellous place, where I spent many happy and instructive hours, and also discovered new reading treasures.

The library habit was engendered in me by my dad. He had a lifelong love of learning... yes, even when he was in his nineties and his sight was failing. The librarians at both the Johannesburg and the Cape Town reference libraries knew him so well they'd let him take precious books home with him!

Reading about the projected closures in Britain brought back to me one of my favourite library experiences. Once, we lived for six months in Lingfield, a tranquil English village spoiled only by the fact that it was on the flight path to Gatwick. If I happened to be listening to the radio while ironing and a plane flew over head, I'd miss a couple of minutes of the broadcast. Anyhow, there too we could walk to the library. Over a playing field, through a style, across the road, and there the tiled-roof cottage was, complete with a lawn so old it was a national treasure!

The library in Paddington was where I'd go for solace and to find Richmal Crompton William books to cheer me up when I was homesick. Also, I read Mazo de la Roche with no idea the stories were set in Canada! Hah! This was a large Victorian building, as was the library in Ilkeston where we lived for a year in the 'Seventies. Both of these were accessible via Shanks pony, although the former was quite a hike. I must confess, though, cavernous Victorian red-brick is not so appealing to me.

An important scene in my YA novel to be published in spring 2012 is set in the library at the University of Cape Town. Sadly (to me) this had moved from the building I'd used as a student, one with much teak panelling and redolent with that special and magical smell.

And that's where I'll leave it at the moment folks. Maybe there'll be more on Libraries I have Loved at a later stage!