4 weeks, 5 countries, 9 libraries
turns out I'm polyamorous after all
The most honest thing I can share today is that I love libraries. I don’t mean that I like them, or I merely appreciate them. My feelings run much deeper than intellectual admiration.
My body loves walking into any any library, anywhere in the world, because as soon as I walk through the doors, I’m greeted with the calm and nourishing sound of silence. In that moment, my body can relax. I can exhale and calm down. No matter what craziness is happening out there in the world, the library is always a sanctuary of sanity.
If you walk into any library anywhere, you know what you’ll find: quiet voices, rows and rows of books, and a friendly librarian who’s eager help you. All for free! Every library is reassuringly quiet, calm, and friendly. And that predictability is so soothing to a sensitive orchid like me. My body loves the consistent calmness of the library because it settles me.
While my body loves the quietness and order, my brain loves the mission of libraries, as a democratic institution committed to sharing free knowledge and resources. I love that libraries exist and I love how they exist. I love how they are fundamentally so similar, but also so wildly different. Their core principles are all the same, while their unique personalities are so colorful and quirky.
Every library is a unique product of the community in which it exists. Evergreen library in Jefferson County Colorado is tucked away in the forest at high altitude surrounded by wildlife. Amsterdam central library has a 7th story viewing platform high above the canals that gives a panoramic view of the city skyline. The downtown library in Columbus Ohio has three art galleries, along with lego construction stations where you can build local landmarks. Over the past several years, I’ve come to appreciate the unique beauty and functionality of every library I’ve entered. Every one is incredible in its own way. And every librarian I’ve ever met has been both patient and kind.
I first fell in love with libraries when I was very young. Actually, no, that’s not true. When I was young, I loved only one single library: Lane Road Library in Upper Arlington Ohio. From the ages of 3 to 17, I was insanely loyal to that wonderful little suburban library with the basement that was always two degrees cooler than the upstairs. During those growing up years I was very happily monogamous with the library right across the street from my house.
It wasn’t until I left for college that my library love expanded to include university libraries and then city libraries. And then somewhere along the way I became a library tourist, visiting libraries wherever I travel. And now, 30+ years later, I’m definitely polyamorous. I love so many different libraries and I’m always open to loving another new one. It’s so easy to love one more library, because they love us so freely and unconditionally with their quietness and their books. So many books. They are so generous, the least we can do is love them back.
During our recent European adventures, I inserted library visits into our travel itinerary. And I took Victoria with me for pictures. Victoria is a stuffed little blue penguin I adopted in Australia. Little blue penguins swim together in large rafts to stay safe from ocean predators. I believe libraries are one way we can all stick together and share resources that keep us safe from ignorance.
During four weeks in June, I visited nine libraries in Europe:
Austria: Vienna and Salzburg
Switzerland: Lucerne x 3, Innsbruck, Zermatt, Interlaken
Netherlands: Amsterdam
Germany & France: unfortunately, our schedule didn’t enable library visits there.
And wow, I found so much amazing design and stunning architecture. There was such great use of lighting and functional design. And every single library was absolutely thriving, full of students and visitors working all hours of the day.
The Zermatt library was right in the center of town and the building dates back to 1730, when it was first used to accommodate priests. I visited three libraries in Lucerne and each one had a very different personality and yes, I had a favorite. In Salzburg, I found the library shelf with all of Mozart’s operas. The Amsterdam library was a visual work of art, stunning in so many ways.
The more libraries I visit, the more impressed I am with their originality, in how they each fulfill the same mission in uniquely creative ways.
Because I’m now a confirmed polyamorous library tourist, I've posted all my photos from these European libraries on my writer instagram profile over here. True confessions, I’ve been photographing libraries all over the world for the past couple years, and now I’m going public. No more hiding my love in secret, I’ll be posting everything to share it with you.
If this encourages you to visit libraries wherever you travel, even better! Perhaps we could make #librarytourism a new trend.
When I first left the corporate world three years ago, I didn’t realize how much freedom I’d have to redesign my daily environment. It’s only in hindsight I’ve recognized how unhealthy the typical work environment can be. Far too many environments are rigid and inflexible and not aligned to our individual nervous system needs.
The more I’ve become a library tourist, the more I’ve noticed how libraries are calming for my nervous system - they’re almost like a mini sensory room for highly sensitive people like me. I’ve incorporated that awareness to create writing environments that are calm, nourishing and conducive to my creative work. Now I’m even more grateful for the freedom I have to design my daily work environment in a way that fit my needs. I think this is especially true for highly sensitive orchids, but it’s generally true for all of us.
Therefore, my hope is that we all find the environments where we thrive best. Some people love the noise and bustle of coffee shops. Others love the natural silence of the outdoors. Some love crowded chaos, others love solitude. Whatever type of environment your body craves, I hope you seek it out and find it. We all deserve to be in an environment where we bloom.
As for me, you might find me in the predictable and peaceful silence of the nearest library. Peace out…
I love that you love libraries so much!
Thought it was only me! Also a lover of libraries. The only place to be in this heat. Very calming too