An early memory
The first job I ever wanted was that of a librarian
The very first job I ever wanted was when I was about seven years old ... and it was a librarian. There was a beautiful library within walking distance of our home and I was allowed to walk the few blocks to get there and back. I couldn't tell time yet - and probably couldn't read more than a simple chapter book. My mom would draw a picture of a clock on a piece of paper and I was to match it up to the clock on the wall at the library. When the two matched, it was time to come home. If it was raining, the paper with the clock drawn on it would be tucked inside some saran wrap for protection. The building was stately with large classical columns on the outside and lots of sculptural details inside and out with wide steps to get up to the doorway - kind of like walking up the steps of a cathedral. Even though today there is a single glass entry door, back then there was a large wooden door that would creek as it was opened. Once inside, it felt as if I'd walked into an inner sanctum. It was flooded with natural light from side windows. The windows were tall, but the lower parts of the window were blocked by rows of bookshelves, making it so that the light only shown through from the tops of the windows. Of course it was very quiet inside. I enjoyed the peaceful setting.
There was a children's section but what I remember most was asking the librarian for a book about Jesus and she directed me to a beautiful slim hard-bound book that was probably a reproduction of an illuminated manuscript - it was full of illustrations depicting various religious scenes. Essentially it was a picture book, which was perfect, considering my age.
The book cover was nondescript, a faded brown linen with a few loose threads. It was worn on the corners, but solid and sturdy. The spine was cracked — this book was viewed by many over the years — but it was always there when I went to visit.
The pages were colorful - like stained glass. (They may have even been on translucent paper so that when held to the light, they were even brighter.) I never checked the book out, but every time I came to the library I would go to the shelf and reach high up to pull that book down and look at the pictures before I moved on to the children's section. The illustrations were Medieval and Renaissance in style — something that would tend to conjure fear in a young child — but to me they were beautiful and filled me with a sense of calm and wonder at the same time. I don’t know if it was the peaceful setting of the beautiful library or the awe-inspiring book to which the librarian had directed me that made me want to be a librarian? Maybe both.
Once in the children’s section I would sit and read beginner chapter books and even check out some of them to bring home. This would have been when I was in 2nd grade in about 1975, prior to moving to Kansas.
After living near the Arlington Hills library our family moved out of state for about four years and when we returned to Minnesota, we lived in Stillwater. Interestingly, Stillwater’s public library was built about the same time as the Arlington Hills, with funds from the same benefactor, Andrew Carnegie. And in the same “beaux-arts” style. The surroundings were familiar and welcoming: it was like coming home.
The location of the library in my new town was quite a bit further from my home than the Arlington Hills library had been. The library was perched on a hill overlooking the St. Croix River and the downtown Stillwater area. (Think of the politics and persuasion it must have taken to have the library built in such a prominent location! As it turns out the town of Stillwater spent two years negotiating amongst themselves in an effort to agree on a location.)
By the time we moved to Stillwater, I was eleven years old and starting 7th grade. Getting to the library on my bicycle was an easy, mostly down-hill ride. Getting back home was a bit more brutal! (Some say the streets of Stillwater are reminiscent of the streets of San Diego with all the steep hills.) Riding a bike up those hills was something I never was able to do without getting off and pushing it back up. (So embarrassing.) The library’s features included stained glass windows, wrought iron shelving and squeaky wood floors.
My career aspirations had changed from 2nd grade to junior high, but I went to the library quite regularly during my school years (1980-1986). In 2022, I returned for a visit. Though there were modern updates, the overall feel of the library was the same as I had remembered including the wonderfully squeaky floors!
Sources:
Minnesota Digital Library. Arlington Hills Branch Library of the Saint Paul Public Library, St. Paul, Minnesota. Image dated 1917.
https://www.collection.mndigital.org/catalog/spp:286
Arlington Hills Library. (2023, Feb 28). In Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_Hills_Library
The Morgan Library & Museum. (2023, Feb 28). Vita Christi (Life of Christ).
https://www.themorgan.org/manuscript/77488
Stillwater Public Library (2023, Feb 28). History.
https://www.stillwaterlibrary.org/about-the-library/history-of-stillwater-public-library/
I loved the Arlington Hills Library. I remember playing “library” with you. You would check out the books.
I remember riding my bike to the Ramsey County Library in White Bear Lake when I was in grade school. I also remember getting lemonade from Linden Pharmacy in WBL on 3rd Street. Now it's a health food store.