In a little over a week, My husband and I will travel to my hometown for Christmas with my extended family. This post is not about Christmas, it’s about childhood memories. But not memories of Christmas, memories of summers spent on the grassy banks of Yellow Creek.
Our little village had a population of about 3,000 people in the 1960s and 1970s and we had no permanent library. From my recollection, the temporary library was housed on the second floor of the Fire Station. Then it moved to the second floor of the village government offices. That stately building was a civil war era building that was a stop on the underground railroad. Its history was awe-inspiring. Then the temporary library moved back to the Fire Station until a utilitarian building was built specifically for the library.
The village library was built on the banks of Yellow Creek across the street from the civil war era building. During the summer, I loved to ride my bike to the new library. I’d check out my favorite books and sat on those grassy banks and listened to the soft sounds of summer while reading Nancy Drew or some other mystery that caught my attention.
The village and surrounding township that used the library grew exponentially that the original 1960s building was torn down to make way for a new and beautiful library that was more fitting for the architecture of the area. The original 4.600 square foot building was transformed into a whopping 35,000 plus square foot building that sits in the same location as the original building.
Because of its size and location, the banks of Yellow Creek overflowed several times and flooded the basement of the new building. They built a retaining wall to minimize future flooding. Anyone wishing to sit on the banks of Yellow Creek to read, no longer can sit where I sat as a child but there is another area further downstream that the library has for people to read. There are even benches which is an added bonus.
The new building is gorgeous and I love to go there when I visit.
Today, I read books on my mini-Ipad with the lighted back screen. The battery runs out and it has to be charged, but I can download as many books as I want to read without the bulkiness of actual books. And, there’s no dogeared pages or fun bookmarks, but it works for me today.
Everything is different but I’ll always have my childhood memories.
What childhood memories of books and reading flood your mind?
Front elevation of Poland Library today
Rear elevation of Poland Library today
Photos courtesy of Poland Historical Society
My hometown library was housed in a small building. The artist, Norman Rockwell, donated a beautiful painting to the library. It was a picture of two children, reading, and above their heads, cloudy, dreamy pictures of their imagining what they were reading. This picture was a part of the children’s library room, and I still remember it to this day.
Eventually, our suburban city built another expanded, modern library, which I also loved. I visited it a week ago. Sadly, it looks a little worn now. I recently read that a little park across the way is now a memorial park with markers naming the famous residents of our city.
There is nothing like a library. It’s a town hall, a great equalizer, and refuge for people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to books. I too, enjoy downloading multiple e-books on my e-reader. a great resource and wallet-saver.
The library I remember when I was growing up was rather utilitarian in its design. A very 1960s style edifice. But what was within the walls was pure joy! The new library which took a number of years to complete is my favorite. The area is steeped in history and the building reflects that historical aura. It’s an amazing place to visit. I look forward to visiting real soon.
Looking at your photo, I know the Library, Village and Town well as I grew up in the same town and remember sitting in the grass reading my “new” library books as a child. I remember stopping going there after school to work on a project, and along the way (from the Junior High) stopping at Isaly’s for penny candy. The new library is amazing, but I miss the old library a bit. I now live in Eastern NC, and go home as able.
Awesome! I left 23 years ago but have gone back often because family lives there. My next series will be based in Youngstown, Ohio! I love the new library. The old one (the brick 1960’s looking building) was a austere and had no personality. I currently live in North Carolina as well!
Beautiful library, the only thing that would make it better would be if they carry the “Women of Worthy” series.
Thanks! My favorite library of all time! 🙂