Public Libraries

I love libraries always have, they are places where I found adventure, life and humour as I was growing up. One of the highlights of the week when I was growing up was a visit to the public library, to search out the next adventure. Libraries continue to enchanted the literary imagination generation after generation. 

One of the most marvelous manifestations of that enchantment comes from beloved poet, activist, educator, and queer icon Nikki Giovanni (b. June 7, 1943)

Giovanni’s 2007 collection Acolytes (public library) includes three absolutely lovely poems celebrating libraries and librarians — please enjoy.

MY FIRST MEMORY (OF LIBRARIANS)

This is my first memory:

A big room with heavy wooden tables that sat on a creaky

wood floor

A line of green shades—bankers’ lights—down the center

Heavy oak chairs that were too low or maybe I was simply

too short

For me to sit in and read

So my first book was always big

In the foyer up four steps a semi-circle desk presided

To the left side the card catalogue

On the right newspapers draped over what looked like

a quilt rack

Magazines face out from the wall

The welcoming smile of my librarian

The anticipation in my heart

All those books — another world — just waiting

At my fingertips.

A LIBRARY

(for Kelli Martin)

a Library Is:

a place to be free

to be in space

to be in cave times

to be a cook

to be a crook

to be in love

to be unhappy

to be quick and smart

to be contained and cautious

to surf the rainbow

to sail the dreams

to be blue

to be jazz

to be wonderful

to be you

a place to be

yeah… to be