Libraries have always been my safe, happy place since I was a child. At school I would spend most of my breaks in the library, sometimes browsing random books, sometimes doing homework, sometimes using the computers. There is something very magical about being surrounded by books, as it feels like all the knowledge and fantasies become tangible and within reach.
I have always loved reading and the library is where I would go to discover something new, different or unexpected. But public libraries are so much more than just the books. There are so many services available.
Fortunately for me, many are now available online. So even though I am no longer able to visit my local library regularly, I still have access to magazines, videos and books in all formats. Unfortunately, the special atmosphere only found in libraries cannot be downloaded or accessed through an app.
I miss going to the library and feeling part of the community, even when reading or studying by myself. I miss the not quite silence of pages turning, computer keyboard tapping, quiet moving and breaths of others that allow you to focus while also knowing you are not alone.
I believe this unique atmosphere is why being in a library can feel so inspiring, whether you are learning a new skill, researching your family history or enjoying a good book. I miss feeling like I could learn to do, or be anything.
Because what libraries are, when their resources and community combine, is potential. And believing in our potential can be hugely inspiring. One of the hardest parts of living with M.E. is seeing your potential shrink, sometimes even disappear for months or years.
Perhaps that is one reason why I often wish I could just go to a library to inspire me and get that feeling of potential back again. My ultimate dream would be to work as a librarian. But another dream is simply to once again be able to go to my local library for a few hours each week, to learn, to discover and to once again experience that distinctive atmosphere of being solitary and feeling part of a community, a special blend that is only found in libraries.
Please don’t take it for granted.
