Durant has a new library and will celebrate its grand opening tomorrow with pomp and ceremony. However, it has actually been open to the public for a few weeks and I was happy to see a large crowd there yesterday. Despite technology and our progress with electronic readers, there is something satisfying about being in a room filled with real books.
The new library has several interesting features and much more space than the old facility. It has more light and more seating areas. There are lots of sculptures and beautiful artwork. There are many more computers and quiet reading rooms. But of course the most important thing it has is more shelf space for more books!
I brought home five books to keep me company over the next few weeks. I’ve already read six chapters of one and I love the mystery and suspense of it. There is nothing as magical as the world created by a good book!
I’ve written often about my love of books, but what you may not have noticed is that I haven’t read very many during the past year. My eye problems, surgery, and subsequent “floaters” have made reading difficult for me. My corrected vision is good, but often blocked by the cloudiness of a passing floater. I find myself turning my head or re-reading a line to make sure I’ve read it correctly. But I decided recently that a good book is worth the effort. If I can read what I need to read for work and for genealogy, then I owe it to myself to make the same effort for my own entertainment and enlightenment.
Not many photos today. It is difficult to find things to photograph when the wind is blowing at 30mph. I am thankful that at least we are still here and safe. More storms due tonight. Pray that they are mild and do not harm any more towns.
Now go read a book.
We plan on going to the library this week sometime to sign up for the reading program. I thought the boys would enjoy some of the activities they have to offer.
Posted by: diana Weger | May 24, 2011 at 06:55 AM
I totally agree...with EVERYTHING you just so eloquently stated. Thanks for sharing your beautiful talents and abilities. I love the way you say things! And your photos...absolutely gorgeous.
Posted by: Tawana | May 24, 2011 at 07:06 AM
My husband gave me a Kindle for my birthday last year -- one of the best gifts I have ever received. Amazon offers a ton of books that can be downloaded for free, mostly 19th century literature. So I have read loads of Dickens, Austen, Twain -- books that I never would have read had I not had the Kindle. However, you are absolutely correct that nothing can replace an actual book.
I am currently reading Shelby Foote's trilogy on the Civil War. Yes, I actually had to pay for the Kindle version and I wish I had splurged and gotten the real books instead. It's time-consuming to try to turn back "pages" to look at the battlefield maps, much easier in a real book. Another disadvantage to Kindle is that there are no real pages, so if you lose your place it is nearly impossible to find it again... So, while I love the doors that Kindle has opened for me, I doubt that e-readers will ever put the publishers out of business.
We live in Tennessee although we're originally from Kansas. We grew up surrounded by tornadoes, in fact my late mother-in-law's first husband and little boy were killed by a tornado in Woodward, OK. She later moved to Udall, KS, where she lost her house to another tornado back in the early '50s. The storms are getting more widespread and vicious these days and, if we could sell our house, we would definitely move out of the "tornado belt." Do you have a storm shelter or a basement?
Posted by: Classof65 | May 24, 2011 at 03:54 PM
Boy, that wind was something. I have ereaders, but I also still read books. Mary it makes me sad you have to work so hard to read now. I know how much the written word means to you.~~Dee
Posted by: Dee Nash | May 28, 2011 at 09:52 PM