When I was a little girl a trip to the city library on Saturday afternoon was something I always looked forward to. The hours passed quickly as I carefully pulled books from the shelves , read their titles and decided which ones to check out. I liked taking my choices to the librarian , showing her my library card , then watching as she stamped the return date on inside page.
The library was orderly and quiet; There was a certain etiquette to be observed. No eating, or loud talking. When patrons did speak it was in hushed voices, like in church, so not to disturb others that were reading, or studying at the long rectangular table, perhaps doing research for a History or English assignment.
Visiting the library is something I’ve never outgrown, and still think of the library as someplace special. A place of learning and information; a Community center.
According to Wikipedia libraries had often started with donation, an endowment or were bequeathed to various parishes, churches, schools or towns. Ben Franklin and friends are generally considered the first to start a subscription library in 1731, allowing members to buy shares . Combined funds were used to buy more books—in return members could borrow books and use the library. It was Andrew Carnegie, however who had the biggest influence in financing libraries in the United States. In the years between 1900 to 1917, almost 1,700 libraries were constructed by Carnegie’s foundation, insisting that local communities first guarantee tax support of each library built. In my opinion, taxes well spent.
Most city and county libraries have reading programs for citizens of all ages . Coeur d Alene Library is no exception , offering Pre-school Story, Book Babies Lap, Family reading, Lego Club, a computer workshop and Pageturners Book Club .
I was at the library last week searching for Barbara Belford’s biography Oscar Wilde, A Certain Genius, and the novel the Irish poet and dramatist is famously known for , The Picture of Dorian Gray. With books in hand, I was about to exit through the center door when I noticed a flyer posted on the bulletin board : The Coeur d Alene Public Library Foundation presents Moving Books— The Written Word Turned Into Film ! Movie’s are scheduled November 2011 thru May 2012. Jane Eyre, Polar Express, Sophie’s Choice, All the King’s Men , The Lincoln Lawyer, Tangled and Charlie Wilson’s War.
What a good idea. Showcasing books turned into film. I began thinking of other books made into movies ; Ben Hur, The Bishops Wife, Breakfast at Tiffany’s , Gone With the Wind, Wizard of Oz; To Kill A Mockingbird, The Maltese Falcon, East of Eden. It became a game with me as more and more books into movies came to mind: Little Women, Tom Sawyer, True Grit. There are hundreds of them. I then thought how interesting it would be to read the book prior to seeing the movie then compare the two by answering a few guideline questions; How well did the movie adaptation follow the author’s story ? Or did the movie script alter what the author wrote? How are they the same? How did they differ?
The Picture of Dorian Gray, the book I checked out at the library ? I can't wait to finish reading it , then watch the movie— the written word turned into film !
*** NOTE: For more information about Moving Books at Coeur d Alene Library call 208 769 2380 or visit their website http://www.cdalibrary.org/
*** For a list of books made into movies http://www.ocl.net/bookinfo/if/movies.shtml
*** For a list of books made into movies http://www.ocl.net/bookinfo/if/movies.shtml
8 comments:
I can't wait! I am going to go and see them all. Thank you for the information. Love to libraries everywhere.
Wow, this is strange, Kathy. I was at the Cd'A library on Wednesday and the very same flyer caught my attention (as did the guy sitting outside on the cold concrete playing a didgeridoo). Anyway, I thought, as you did, what a great idea. But the second amazing thing: I just read Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray last month! Your suggestion led me to check out the movie on Netflix. It's listed as dark and scary. Maybe we should watch it together...
Watching together - how fun that would be, MJ ! And Lizzie B., I'm with you, love to libraries everywhere. Thanks for your comments, girls :)
North idaho christian school in hayden lake, id 83835 let s talk about it library program or an organization, such as a scholar for writing a tony stewart, north idaho college professor of political.
watch horror movies
You expressed my feelings for libraries perfectly. I say "Thank you" to Andrew Carnegie and Benjamin Franklin often for their insight into the ideas and implementation of public libraries. This is a well written post as usual. You have such a personal touch with your posts. I love reading each one.
Thank you, Jennifer ! Your kind words encourage me to persevere ( with my writing). For me, a visit to the library has always been a positive, and fun experience. My hope is young people won't neglect the library experience for the ever increasing & popular electronic media
Makes one think! Book first, then movie. jm
Kathy,
Thanks for the quick overview of library history.
I too have been a bibliophile all my life. I remember in grade school days spending summer mornings at the "new" indoor swimming pool at Bell High for swimming lessins, then spending the afternoon at either the Maywood or Bell libraries.
When we were high school age, Huntington Park's library grew and became a regional library, with a lot more to choose from. I'm lucky now to be in Lancaster, which has a large regional library. I don't think there's been more than three days in a row where I don't have any library items checked out.
Another romp down memory lane for you. Our 4th grade teacher taught us a poem about books. The first line was, "Books are keys to wisdom's treasure." Remember that? She was also the one who told us we couldn't advance to 5th grade without writing stories. - pjs
Post a Comment