What does your library mean to you?it@nols.org2022-08-17T14:43:11-07:00

What does your library mean to you?

Library stories were collected during the 2018 Summer Reading Program as part of the annual Listen Up! Stories from the Northwest Corner oral history program. Thank you for sharing your story!

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What does your library mean to you?

Library stories were collected during the 2018 Summer Reading Program as part of the annual Listen Up! Stories from the Northwest Corner oral history program. Thank you for sharing your story!

Jonathan Dukes

The library is a safe place for Jonathan Dukes; he can be himself and feels comfortable there. His earliest memory of the library is waiting for his mother to finish her taxes as a young kid. He talks about discovering a kids book in a Colorado public library that changed his life, and how NOLS compares to other libraries he's visited.

Listen to an audio clip

Dan Barr

The library is a window of the world for Dan Barr; one where you can get escape, entertainment, and information. He grew up in rural Ohio and remembers visiting the bookmobile, a messenger of the world, for books as a child. His favorite NOLS memory is about the impressive ILL services and finding the books he would like to read.

Listen to an audio clip

David Sell

This building and its activities, in my opinion, … is the hub of the hive, … even more than WalMart, … in that it allows, and encourages, talented or no, endeavors of justified or outrageous acts of well-intentioned public display... like my own renditions of 60s and 70s country rock instrumental vocals and Dylanesque styles in the parking lot.

Jean Cameron (cont.)

3 1/2 years later, I had a husband and no degree plus an expected child. The child arrived on June 17, 1955 which would have been my graduation.

As life continued, I realized that I was neither a good wife, mother or librarian. The latter was also not for me, yet it was in my life path so far. Working on my MLS, I squirmed in my chair over the Dewey Decimal System and other courses that did not thrill me.

Jean Cameron (cont.)

After that graduation, I was hired to develop a library for a branch of a noted electronics company. Year after year I slogged along, but realized this was not my milieu.

Then I remembered as a child, I spent hours working to create a home for my dolls. Eureka! I'd found my love, long buried; interior design.

Twas a long way around, but Library remains a great love ...

Jonathan Dukes

The library is a safe place for Jonathan Dukes; he can be himself and feels comfortable there. His earliest memory of the library is waiting for his mother to finish her taxes as a young kid. He talks about discovering a kids book in a Colorado public library that changed his life, and how NOLS compares to other libraries he's visited.

Listen to an audio clip

Dan Barr

The library is a window of the world for Dan Barr; one where you can get escape, entertainment, and information. He grew up in rural Ohio and remembers visiting the bookmobile, a messenger of the world, for books as a child. His favorite NOLS memory is about the impressive ILL services and finding the books he would like to read.

Listen to an audio clip

David Sell

This building and its activities, in my opinion, … is the hub of the hive, … even more than WalMart, … in that it allows, and encourages, talented or no, endeavors of justified or outrageous acts of well-intentioned public display... like my own renditions of 60s and 70s country rock instrumental vocals and Dylanesque styles in the parking lot.

Jean Cameron (cont.)

3 1/2 years later, I had a husband and no degree plus an expected child. The child arrived on June 17, 1955 which would have been my graduation.

As life continued, I realized that I was neither a good wife, mother or librarian. The latter was also not for me, yet it was in my life path so far. Working on my MLS, I squirmed in my chair over the Dewey Decimal System and other courses that did not thrill me.

Jean Cameron (cont.)

After that graduation, I was hired to develop a library for a branch of a noted electronics company. Year after year I slogged along, but realized this was not my milieu.

Then I remembered as a child, I spent hours working to create a home for my dolls. Eureka! I'd found my love, long buried; interior design.

Twas a long way around, but Library remains a great love ...

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