September 21, 2026
What section of the library would we find you hanging out in?
When I was in high school, following after-school activities, I’d often head to the local library to wait for a ride home.
I didn’t have a car, there were no buses, and I lived too far out in the country to walk home. So, I’d head to the library and amuse myself there until my father got done with work and could take me home. Besides, it was back in the day that if you wanted to do research for school assignments, you’d have to visit the library. Google and the internet didn’t exist. Card catalogs and microfiche did.
And a great periodicals section. Newspapers, weekly news magazines, monthly magazines of all types. Padded chairs that were comfortable to sit in for long stretches. It was tucked away in a back corner of the main floor, away from the main traffic flow. Lit by the sun on good days and lights that were easy on the eyes during bad weather, it was a spot that Id head to if I wasn’t involved in a research project.
It became the model for the library where Harmony Duprie, my amateur sleuth, spent much of her time. Now, it houses many of my books.
These days, periodicals are a pale shadow of what they used to be. Everything is on line now, and available at your fingertips. (As long as your wallet can tolerate the price.
Sadly, I didn’t find a similar home in the library near my current home.
When I inquired about volunteer opportunities, I was turned down. The person I spoke with said they didn’t need any. As I result, I’ve never spent a lot of time there.
So, what section of the library would I spend time in?
I’ve always enjoyed reading biographies, but haven’t read one recently. (except one I read as research for a potential project.) Got out of the habit, I guess. So, given an unknown library, that’s where I’d set up camp. If I got lucky, I’d find one with a chair nearby. Or, you might find me in fiction, specifically in the mystery section, if there is one. Truth is, you might find me in any section of the library, except in children’s books. (Story time: I worked as the children’s librarian in a small library for about a year. I’ve spent lots of time in children’s books.)
Truth is, I don’t want to be restricted to any one part of the library. If you want to find me there, you might need to check out the whole library. I could be anywhere.
How about our other authors? Which part of the library would we find them in? Find out by checking out their blog posts this wee. You can find those by following the links below.
In the meantime, I hope you stay safe until the next time.
September 21, 2026
What section of the library would we find you hanging out in?
Yes, biographies and autobiographies are my favourite reads, especially those of musicians for some unknown reason.
“Unknown reason”
?
That was supposed to be followed by a grin tag. Don’t know what happened to it. But you’ve told us about the many music festivals you’ve attended.
When I retired and returned to my childhood hometown, I was devastated to find that the old library I remembered had been closed and left to fall down. Nearby is a glass and steel, soulless building with gale-force ventilation, which means that it doesn’t smell of books.
My childhood library has been remodeled to make it accessible to more people (Don’t know if you can see the 7or 8 steps leading to the front door in the picture.) But I think the librarians over the years have worked hard to keep the heart of the library beating.
How sad.
What a beautiful library in that picture! I’d explore every bit of that!
It is beautiful and well-maintained. I never visited the children’s area, and there is an area that needs renovated. The library staff work hard to keep the public involved.