This One Dream

So sometimes I do dream of being a very successful author and such, and I imagine the good things I might do with my cash because I'm successful and all. I imagine helping my brothers pay off student loans and buying houses for family members and sending my nieces and nephews to college.

And then I dream of renovating libraries. I'm actually dead serious about this.

It all started while living in Newark. Newark has a very beautiful library housed in an old building...right across the street from a beautiful little park. It's the one place in Newark besides my apartment (okay, you got me, and the law school, sometimes, when finals weren't going on) where I felt sanctuary. Now I wouldn't want to go renovating that particular library too much because it is sort of perfect just the way it is with its musty stacks and such. But I thought it would be fun to create two really great spaces: one for the children's section and one for the young adult's section. I imagine bright colors and comfortable seating arrangements and just something generally inviting for the young ones so that when the come in, they feel like books are awesome and they can settle on in and have a good read. The YA section was a hall way, really, and I just think they could have something more exciting.

Well, then...you see, I grew up in this small town called Spanish Fork, which is, by the way, my current place of abode. And we had this little library in the center of the city park. When I was just a wee one, that library seemed large and wonderful, and I remember how it looked, and I loved going there.

I went there today. Uh oh. Let's just say that after living in Rockwall where the library is stunning...and I do mean stunning...I was spoiled. It's just about the most beautiful library ever. But back to S.F. and the mess that is the library.

One, they rearranged things so that now when you walk in there is no open space, and oh when you walk into a library open spaces are so good. You want to feel welcome and happy that you came. Instead, the stacks are right there, up close and in your face, and you feel a bit claustrophobic when you walk in the door. It's no good. Two, everything is so brown. I remember bright colors and retro seventies chairs and even if it was dated, it had a feel to it that I loved. Three, because the space isn't open, the windows can't really be appreciated. I'll admit that the library's architecture leaves something to be desired, and it is too too small, but there are some pretty nice windows, and, well, they aren't being used to the best advantage of the library.

And then I thought of my renovation idea. So when I do become a rich fancy pants writer and I have my own charity for renovating library spaces, Spanish Fork comes first, and we are taking it back, baby. We're going to restore it to its glory days. And I'm telling you, it's going to be cool retro seventies. Maybe we'll add on to the back or build a second story, too, because it is too cramped up in there. Of course, we'll expand the collection, too, and add in some computer stations and study rooms and then it will be inviting.

Because, dude...that library...it's just a mess.