2025 L : Libraries

   

Next in the challenge is "L" for libraries. Before I wrote my first short story or novel, I was a voracious reader. My favorite place was the source of my reading material... the library. So I have taken a little side diversion from the theme of my books to reveal something about me.

My first recollections of a library was the small, one room in a historic building in town. Its use was supplanted when I obtained a membership card to the county library. Although it was larger and in a slightly newer building, the memory is of a dark, cramped space. That same county library became a modern structure with a packing lot, children's and meeting rooms, and computers. The wall of used books was always browsed before checking out my quota of books. Over the years I went through Leslie Charteris, Ian Fleming, Louis L'Amour, and almost science fiction and fantasy series on the shelves from Isaac Asimov to Anne McCaffrey to E. E. Doc Smith. I later returned to the same building as a published author and ran a meet the author workshop for other authors. However, the most fun was going to the annual book sale. The event filled an entire National Guard armory with books, books, and more books.

Reading and speaking at libraries has not been my only involvement with libraries. I worked in my high school library during my free study periods. Creating a schoolteacher resource library and modernizing the library & archives for a local history museum were other library-related activities.

The old public libary, Matawan NJ

Frenchtown Public Library, Frenchtown NJ

 

Hunterdon County Library
my safe haven for many years

Perhaps my best memory of a library as a published author is seeing my books in the local library. I hope you enjoyed the post. ~till next time, Helen

As a change of pace, I am highlighting the books that took me into libraries around New Jersey.

  

Buy the non-fiction works as noted:

Around Matawan and Aberdeen at Amazon / Barnes&Noble

Matawan and Aberdeen: Of Town and Field at Amazon and Barnes&Noble

From the Back Street to Main Street ... And Beyond at Amazon

If you're following other blogs in the challenge, here's the master list of the other participants.