Last week, I shared a printable list of incredible children’s books to check out from the library (picture books, early readers, chapter books, and graphic novels), and it got me thinking about memorable library moments.
I’d love to know:
What's your most memorable library moment?
I don’t have specific library memories from my childhood; they mostly come to me in fragments or as colors and smells—oh, the smells! Although, I do remember walking out of my elementary school library on the last day of school in fourth grade and defiantly throwing away a math packet a teacher had given me to work on over the summer. That rebellious act haunted me every single night for the following three months. I was a total wreck—I couldn’t sleep. I was nauseous over getting caught. A few days before the beginning of fifth grade, I finally confessed to my parents. I wasn’t in trouble; in fact, I found out that the work was optional! I had fretted over nothing. But it wasn’t a total waste. The experience taught me that I care about doing the right thing and that I hate math (I really hate math).
Most of my memories of the library are from college. I miss spending long nights there, tucked away in a dimly lit corner, cramming for a test, or writing a paper. Although, it wasn’t nearly as romantic as it seemed on the show “Felicity,” — which I feverously watched the few years leading up to college. Speaking of “Felicity,” do you remember this scene?!
So tell me: What’s your most memorable library moment? But more importantly, are you Team Ben or Team Noel?
I too have distinct sensory memories of my childhood library and I can even remember the children's librarian’s face.
I remember there was a large hallway before you entered the library and that hallway was always filled with tables and tables of blank tax documents during tax season. It felt exciting to be among all these grown up documents!
A new local library opened when I was in high school and I studied there regularly. One day while studying, a boy slid a note to me as he walked past my table. It said something like ‘I think you’re cute’ with his number. I never called him but am pretty sure I still have the note tucked in a high school memory box at my parents house.
Um, Natalie! That's the dream! Although it's only a dream if you're into that kind of thing, and it's not creepy, it sounds like it was charming and mysterious. From my back and forth with people about the library the past few days, there's a lot of secretive happenings going on in the library: secret searches in books, secret longings, secret daydreams, secret projects, secret love notes! I love the idea of a library being a safe space for these things to unfold or simply holding space for them. Do you know what I mean? Interestingly, the Moonbow community that leaves comments here is primarily Team Noel, and my IG community is VERY Team Ben. Interesting, but not surprising!
Most of my library memories are from college. I always used to study upstairs in one quiet corner of the stacks. Unfortunately, it was not as aesthetically pleasing as Felicity’s library 😂 I was in middle school when the show first premiered, and I remembering watching it and thinking: oh I can’t wait to go to college and experience everything she did! Suffice to say, it was nothing like the show lol (although I did have a roommate who was my opposite). And I am team Ben forever! Though I seem to be in the minority on here ✌️
The library in Felicity and study rooms are so aesthetically pleasing—it's unfair! My library at Cal Poly was nothing like it at all, but it had its own charm, I guess. And you're not alone on IG! My entire IG has been flooded by passionate Ben fans!
One time, as a high schooler, I got caught in a tornado at my local public library and as all the staff and patrons sat against the back wall with our heads between our knees, I thought, "I'm sorry I won't get to tell my parents I love them, but dying in a library isn't the worst way to go." 😂 I've never forgotten it.
I went to a library preschool program when I was a little one. I don't remember much, but there was a great rug that I thought was neat, and we'd nap in these cots in the children's room between the stacks and I absolutely loved it.
In college I worked at the university library. After a brief stint in the circulation department, I worked in the fines and fees department for four years. The worst, and the best. My job was to print out all the fine notices and labels, then stuff them in envelopes to be sent through university mail. (I definitely crossed privacy protocol and wrote notes and little comics with Garfield demanding library books be returned on anyone's fine notice that I knew.) I would get done so quickly, then would have hours to myself. I felt guilty and mentioned it to my supervisor and she laughed in my face and said something like, "You'll figure it out. I'm not worried as long as the job is done." So I would get my work done quickly, and then I'd have hours and hours to read or do homework. There were a few spots in the stacks that were so remote and quiet with a perfect chair, so every shift would also involve a nap as well.
Honestly piecing this life-trend together now: I find great comfort sleeping in libraries. ha!
This is amazing, Emmy. I would have loved to have received an Emmy Kastner drawing of Garfield demanding a library book back. I also love the irony - since Garfield is way too lazy to return anything. But that's a great marketing strategy for the library. I think you should bring that back somehow!
We went to story time at the library every week when I was a kid and while I have so many book memories (The Little Miss.. books come to mind) I can mostly drum up sensory memories like the clicking of the mat on the way out under my feet and the drinking fountain by the door that we always had to stop and drink from because it was ice cold. The library was always a comfortable place - like being at my grandmas house or at a cozy vacation cabin. As I got older I’d ride my bike there during the summer by myself and stay awhile reading RL Stein in the air conditioned teen room.
I also remember the day I looked up the word sex in the dictionary when I was in about 5th grade … feeling like I was breaking a rule but not being able to stop myself.
My memories from the library are very sensory too! So much sensorial stimulation happening there, which sounds kind of naughty, but is definitely true. Speaking of naughty: I love that you looked up "sex" in the dictionary at the library. That feels like a scene out of a '90s movie. Do you remember anything about what it said or how you remember it after looking it up? I find that fascinating. :)
Most memorable library moment was when I decided to learn sign language to heal a broken heart and distract myself after my then boyfriend/now husband broke up with me. I sat down at a table and serendipitously sat next to a deaf woman who was so excited to help me learn to sign! It was wild- what are the chances? We had to communicate a lot through writing down notes but it is such a great memory :)
Wow, Ginny! That's incredible. Life is wild sometimes! Did you save any of those notes? Also, I had some major moments of being Team Ben. I dated a "Ben" type—all that sexual tension, questioning, and unspoken desire...but I think overall I'm Team Noel. Especially now, looking back. Ben's insecurity is annoying.
all my memories of being in the library at UCLA are like my moments of feeling like wow i am a college student!!! which feels like one million years ago. and this felicity scene brings me right back. i think I’ve always been team Noel ??
Right!? The college library is what makes college feel REAL! I so relate to that. I was kind of a loner in college, so the library was a comforting place for me. I feel like many people made strong friend groups in college, but I went with existing friends and a very serious boyfriend. It kept me from truly experiencing the college life. But I don't regret it. I just wish I'd been more eager to meet new people. And yes, Team Noel!
Team Noel here.
I too have distinct sensory memories of my childhood library and I can even remember the children's librarian’s face.
I remember there was a large hallway before you entered the library and that hallway was always filled with tables and tables of blank tax documents during tax season. It felt exciting to be among all these grown up documents!
A new local library opened when I was in high school and I studied there regularly. One day while studying, a boy slid a note to me as he walked past my table. It said something like ‘I think you’re cute’ with his number. I never called him but am pretty sure I still have the note tucked in a high school memory box at my parents house.
Um, Natalie! That's the dream! Although it's only a dream if you're into that kind of thing, and it's not creepy, it sounds like it was charming and mysterious. From my back and forth with people about the library the past few days, there's a lot of secretive happenings going on in the library: secret searches in books, secret longings, secret daydreams, secret projects, secret love notes! I love the idea of a library being a safe space for these things to unfold or simply holding space for them. Do you know what I mean? Interestingly, the Moonbow community that leaves comments here is primarily Team Noel, and my IG community is VERY Team Ben. Interesting, but not surprising!
Most of my library memories are from college. I always used to study upstairs in one quiet corner of the stacks. Unfortunately, it was not as aesthetically pleasing as Felicity’s library 😂 I was in middle school when the show first premiered, and I remembering watching it and thinking: oh I can’t wait to go to college and experience everything she did! Suffice to say, it was nothing like the show lol (although I did have a roommate who was my opposite). And I am team Ben forever! Though I seem to be in the minority on here ✌️
The library in Felicity and study rooms are so aesthetically pleasing—it's unfair! My library at Cal Poly was nothing like it at all, but it had its own charm, I guess. And you're not alone on IG! My entire IG has been flooded by passionate Ben fans!
One time, as a high schooler, I got caught in a tornado at my local public library and as all the staff and patrons sat against the back wall with our heads between our knees, I thought, "I'm sorry I won't get to tell my parents I love them, but dying in a library isn't the worst way to go." 😂 I've never forgotten it.
OMG Sarah, that's intense! But I would have thought the exact same thing. I'm glad you survived. :)
I went to a library preschool program when I was a little one. I don't remember much, but there was a great rug that I thought was neat, and we'd nap in these cots in the children's room between the stacks and I absolutely loved it.
In college I worked at the university library. After a brief stint in the circulation department, I worked in the fines and fees department for four years. The worst, and the best. My job was to print out all the fine notices and labels, then stuff them in envelopes to be sent through university mail. (I definitely crossed privacy protocol and wrote notes and little comics with Garfield demanding library books be returned on anyone's fine notice that I knew.) I would get done so quickly, then would have hours to myself. I felt guilty and mentioned it to my supervisor and she laughed in my face and said something like, "You'll figure it out. I'm not worried as long as the job is done." So I would get my work done quickly, and then I'd have hours and hours to read or do homework. There were a few spots in the stacks that were so remote and quiet with a perfect chair, so every shift would also involve a nap as well.
Honestly piecing this life-trend together now: I find great comfort sleeping in libraries. ha!
This is amazing, Emmy. I would have loved to have received an Emmy Kastner drawing of Garfield demanding a library book back. I also love the irony - since Garfield is way too lazy to return anything. But that's a great marketing strategy for the library. I think you should bring that back somehow!
I’m on it! Also, wish I’d watched Felicity! All I remember is when she cut her hair and the world seemed to freak out.
Yes! Get on it! And I’m rewatching it now. Let’s recap when we see each other. And, btw, her haircut was/is a major pop culture moment!!
I was and will always be team Noel.
We went to story time at the library every week when I was a kid and while I have so many book memories (The Little Miss.. books come to mind) I can mostly drum up sensory memories like the clicking of the mat on the way out under my feet and the drinking fountain by the door that we always had to stop and drink from because it was ice cold. The library was always a comfortable place - like being at my grandmas house or at a cozy vacation cabin. As I got older I’d ride my bike there during the summer by myself and stay awhile reading RL Stein in the air conditioned teen room.
I also remember the day I looked up the word sex in the dictionary when I was in about 5th grade … feeling like I was breaking a rule but not being able to stop myself.
My memories from the library are very sensory too! So much sensorial stimulation happening there, which sounds kind of naughty, but is definitely true. Speaking of naughty: I love that you looked up "sex" in the dictionary at the library. That feels like a scene out of a '90s movie. Do you remember anything about what it said or how you remember it after looking it up? I find that fascinating. :)
Most memorable library moment was when I decided to learn sign language to heal a broken heart and distract myself after my then boyfriend/now husband broke up with me. I sat down at a table and serendipitously sat next to a deaf woman who was so excited to help me learn to sign! It was wild- what are the chances? We had to communicate a lot through writing down notes but it is such a great memory :)
Also, Team Ben!
Wow, Ginny! That's incredible. Life is wild sometimes! Did you save any of those notes? Also, I had some major moments of being Team Ben. I dated a "Ben" type—all that sexual tension, questioning, and unspoken desire...but I think overall I'm Team Noel. Especially now, looking back. Ben's insecurity is annoying.
all my memories of being in the library at UCLA are like my moments of feeling like wow i am a college student!!! which feels like one million years ago. and this felicity scene brings me right back. i think I’ve always been team Noel ??
Right!? The college library is what makes college feel REAL! I so relate to that. I was kind of a loner in college, so the library was a comforting place for me. I feel like many people made strong friend groups in college, but I went with existing friends and a very serious boyfriend. It kept me from truly experiencing the college life. But I don't regret it. I just wish I'd been more eager to meet new people. And yes, Team Noel!