#libraries

I have an unshaken conviction that democracy can never be undermined if we maintain our library resources and a national intelligence capable of utilizing them. ↗

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

#intelligence

When I got [my] library card, that was when my life began. ↗

— Rita Mae Brown

#reading #life

The love of libraries, like most loves, must be learned. ↗

— Alberto Manguel

#library #love

Most people either love or hate old libraries. To some, a room like this--dim, high-ceilinged, dusty, smelling of old paper and crumbling leather--would be oppressive, a place to flee from in search of sun and air. To others, like me, it was a wonderful cave filled with unimaginable treasures and unexpected treats. I always found myself inhaling deeply when I entered the stacks, as if trying to absorb part of them into my bloodstream. ↗

— Sheila Connolly

#love

Did the men steal the papers?" Reynie asked, fearing her response. No, because they are fools," Sophie said bitterly. "They demanded to see the papers, and when I did not answer fast enough -- they were very frightening, you see -- they hurt me so that I was not awake. . . . When I opened my eyes they were still trying to find the papers. They did not understand how we organize the library, you see. They were angry and creating a bad mess. . . . The police were coming and the men decided they must leave. I shouted at them as they left: 'It is a free and public library! All you had to do was ask! ↗

— Trenton Lee Stewart

#organization #public-library #reference #men

The harvest of the years awaits you here, Culled with slow toil, and heaped with bloody sweat, The truths that men have died to bring to light Are laid before you in these quiet halls. Upon these shelves your eager hands shall find The keys to open doors not yet unlocked, The torch to kindle new and brighter lamps, The chart to plot your course beyond the stars, The clues to all the labyrinths of thought. Here you shall meet the men whose names are carved Deep-hewn forever on the rocks of time... You shall be guests of all the greatest minds. ↗

— Josephine P. Beaty

#libraries #reading #men

What has been happening the last four years in City Hall is that they have been closing recreation centers, closing libraries. We have not looked after our children in City Hall. ↗

— Carl Stokes

#been #centers #children #city #city hall

In a good bookroom you feel in some mysterious way that you are absorbing the wisdom contained in all the books through your skin, without even opening them. ↗

— Mark Twain

#books #libraries #wisdom #wisdom

A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them. ↗

— Lemony Snicket

#reading #read

[D]on't ever apologize to an author for buying something in paperback, or taking it out from a library (that's what they're there for. Use your library). Don't apologize to this author for buying books second hand, or getting them from bookcrossing or borrowing a friend's copy. What's important to me is that people read the books and enjoy them, and that, at some point in there, the book was bought by someone. And that people who like things, tell other people. The most important thing is that people read... ↗

— Neil Gaiman

#libraries #library #reading #read