Gaston County Public Library: A Love Letter

The closest thing to a church or a sacred space I've ever had is probably one of three places: my backyard, my house and my local public library.

It might sound crazy, but those really are the favorite and safest places of my life. And it's funny.....I didn't even realize how much the library meant to me until recently.

I've been lucky enough to live in the same town and going to the same library all my life. I remember my uncle taking my big sister and me to get library cards. I was probably about seven. I remember the first book I checked out: Robert the Rose Horse.

Since then I've studied there, worked on term papers, gone to book sales, taken my son there, had quiet time, and maybe even cried there a time or too. I remember once asking a guy I met on Bumble to meet me there for our first date. I thought it would be cute to say we met at the library. It didn't work out, but I still remember that date and the meeting fondly. I hope he does too.

And it's kinda funny....how many pics I've taken there over the years.

I've taken nearly as many pictures there as a person would on vacation or at a concert or out on their boats. And probably for the same reason. I wanted to remember the feelings I had there. The good vibe that made me feel calm and assured.

I also wanted to remember the peaceful evenings and quiet mornings that I shared at home with my books. The lovely books that library provided to me.

So many times. So many beverages. So many books!

There's just something about GCPL. There's something very calming about the place to me. And not just because it's quiet. But I sure have spent a lot of time there just thinking......writing.....staring off into space.....looking and listening. I feel this sense of contentment when I'm there....even if I only buzz in and out again with an armful of books.

I even won and lost at Quiz Bowl there!

And oh the books.....let's not forget the books!

I often get so many they won't fit my bag! I just can't go to a device like Kindle or audio listening. I just can't! Those modern conveniences just don't give me the same kind of peace. The familiar cozy up with the spine and pages that my fingers crave. The rows and rows of knowledge that are there for the taking. The ability to borrow a book on pretty much any subject I crave.

This is probably going to sound almost pitiful.

But when you get to be my age, there have been a lot of hurts. Disappointments. Trauma. Don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of successes and good times too. But there's something about that nice cool building with its rows and rows and stacks and stacks of information. It's solid. It's trustworthy. The library doesn't judge you. It doesn't let you down. And even if you stay gone a long time, it always welcomes you back.

It's a home of sorts. A respite. And I hope it never goes away.

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