Today, I got out of bed quite late at 10am. My alarm went off at 7am but I ended up going back to sleep. I had breakfast and a coffee and packed my bag for the library. Since today is a Saturday it would be the public library rather than the university library that was my destination. I set out into the cold day. It wasn’t raining or snowing and it was already daylight by the time I left the flat. 

The walk was about 10 minutes and I walked briskly. The cold made the walk slightly unpleasant. I wanted to get it over with.

Eventually I came into sight of the Roman like columns at the entrance of the library. I pushed the button to open the door and walked into the large warm room. I was like an oasis in a desert. But it was more. Firstly it was not so cold, and an air system transported the air around the large room. The room was about the length of half a football field and about 15 metres high. There was a large old picture portrait on one of the walls that could have been 100 years old or more. I think he was one of the philanthropists who donated to this library.

There were three staff at the main desk, quietly attentive when I walked in, one of them smiled at me due to familiarity. People tend to be more reserved in a library as opposed to a gym or a pub.

I walked through the rows and shelf of books to my usual desk seat at the back. There were free newspapers (bought that day), there was a jigsaw puzzle on one table, there were computers with internet access. All free of charge to visitors to explore and try out.

Once I sat down I was initially hit with a bit of procrastination and laziness. However I got out my German beginner’s book and set about reading.

You see all kinds of people in a library: homeless people, pensioners, parents with young children/toddlers (there’s a kid section), students (high school and university), refugees studying English. All concentrating together and quietly bettering themselves.

I have always enjoyed the ritual of studying, getting out my books away from distractions such as my friends or a computer. I do have moments of dread with regard to study but I especially love the feeling of having had a productive day or morning spent in the library studying.

Another thing about the library is there are often social activities such as Spanish club, Scrabble, book club etc.

Libraries are not just centres of learning and warm spaces but they are also community centres.

Eventually I started writing this blog post on libraries on some spare sheets of paper I had in my bag. After a while I felt much more content, it can be difficult waking up late in a cold lonely house. I left as the library was getting noisy with young children. There was obviously some sort of activity on in the main room.