People Say Libraries Are Used As Safe Havens For So Many, Share 35 Heartwarming Stories

Katy McMouse

Katy McMouse

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So sorry for your loss. The world needs more like your brother.

The banning of books, the burning of books, is one of the early signs of a dictatorship in power.

They should! Libraries are so important. With all the technology these days people forget how wonderful libraries really are.

Irl Matilda

I get this. When you're between isles and isles of books, the smell, the feeling...everything feels safe. I used to like doing this at uni. Just randomly searching shelves alone. It was so much fun.

BP. Get rid of vafapow134 for scam links

Wow... This one got to me..

Librarians are awesome! I've know a few in my short lifetime and they're all been really nice people. Keep up the great work!

A man who reads many books lives many lives. A man who reads no books lives only one life.

My husband used to go to New Utrecht with his Gramma every week when he was a kid for "weekly stories". She'd get him a book & he would read it to her! He's in his 40s now & still has the fondests memories of that library too. So glad to hear they are a creeper free safe space!

It's awesome to hear about the wonder and awakening of the spirit that is being shared with us.

This is the kind of idiocy I grew up with... we then I read, I block everything else out. Total immersion. My mother would get mad because I didnt hear her call me from the other room so she would throw things and hit me to get my attention. Her favorite objects to throw? Books, of course.

Tell Elmo Hi

This is so true. That librarian who suggested books and took interest in you and smiled when you took books out. In homes where there is little to no encouragement or approbation, this means the world.

Yes, yes, yes, Libraries are welcoming to everyone, spent 37 years as a Youth Services Libraians and helped many of all ages finding what they needed even when sometimes it was a place to be away from the outside world.

That was very kind indeed. Above and beyond the scope of their regular duties.

It bothers me that some people condemn that rich people in the past ONLY put money towards building libraries. They knew what they were doing.

The librarian at my school would let me move the TV carts so I could hide from everything I created a sort of fort in a corner and read by myself, I loved her!

That's fantastic! She may have been being neglected, her medication may not be working as effectively, or her condition could be worsening. It was very kind of them to pay attention, be diligent and locate her family, and take care to inform them of the changes that they've noticed.

Same here. You could read any book or magazine or anything!

Congratulations!

Poor Laura. Im hope she've beautiful future ahead of her.

What a wonderful librarian. Sadly, most of us are trained on how to administer Narcan and keep a supply at the ready. Many of us have sharps containers in our offices. The pain of the opioid epidemic hurts our hearts. But better someone ODs in a place where we can help than in a desolate alley with no one around.

libraries are truly the best place in the world

Reading can be a safe harbor when your reality really sucks

I hope you are surrounded by books and love now.

Any chance Catherine is still alive? If so, and if it wouldn’t be too hard to track her down, you should do so and tell her. If she is still living, your gesture would mean the world to her.

A cell phone, usually provided by the government, is the only way the homeless can access services, while providing them a lifeline to society.

You just have to keep cool and if you go along with them they will be very little trouble!

And I will fight by your side!

oh, beauty.

Yep right up there with my, Social Insurance, heath card (Canada) and Citizenship. Don't leave home without them

Elmo needs to do video chat.

One of the first things I thought of when Covid closed down the Central Library in Portland was the worry of what would happen to the homeless. They do such good work with helping the homeless, especially during the 8 months of the year when we have bad weather. Just the fact that there are multi floors with sitting places so that they can get out of the rain and cold is very helpful. Can't even imagine how many lives have been saved. I've had a library card for 50 years. It is one of my most prized possessions.

Have you ever seen an angry librarian, I have but they are the calmest angry person you will meet in your life. I was in the library and was close enough to here a man berating a cognitive disabled man, they poor fellow was so scared - I went to the librarian told her an accompanied her to the the older man still giving this poor fellow hell, the old man came in to read papers and the other fellow messed them up - She told him very quietly in no uncertain terms where to go and that was out but could come back when he learned to treat all human beings the way we have treated him. It was just so cool how she did this she was calm and cool never raised her voice but you knew if you did not obey her death may ensue!

Todays billionaires spend their money buying super yachts and fly into space. They don't build libraries.

No. No, it's not. ❤️

I used to dream of a place like that, literally, in amazing detail. Then I went to the (now in a new building) main library in the city, and there was the inclined hallway, the children's library under the street, the quiet private space with its hearth. It turned out my dad used to take me there often when I was very young, and the archives of my mind never forgot.

Oh no, this brings me so much anguish.

Thank you for your service - Can't imagine how the re-writing of history is affecting you!

And sadly, the seas are rising....

I spent a few years working at the Leslie F. Malpass Library when I was in school and know it very well! Although I do not recall the AC there being particularly good...

I had to prove that I could and would actually read through 5 books in 5 days, I finished them in 3 days, Answered all their questions on the 5 books I took out, I was allowed to take out 10 books at a time, I was 9 and a Prolific Book Reader.

This woman probably has more insight than everyone combined who works for Fox News.

Hurray!!

It's fantastic that they were so helpful and it's such a positive activity to busy oneself.

That's an excellent library metaphor! Fellow Pandas, I issue a challenge: More metaphors, if you please!

Another great analogy. They have such important meanings to so many different people.

Defunding libraries, supporting censorship, using libraries as pawns in culture wars, denying multiple points of view and free access to information. For example, I displayed picture books in the children's area that featured some African American characters. An ultra conservative board member saw it and complained it was '1619 for babies" and I was asked to remove the books. We are experiencing this kind of nonsense at my library from our director, our board, and the mayor and his administration. I'm keeping my location private for fear of retaliation. Having said that, it's not so much a Republican issue as it is the very vocal ultra right wing majority that have seized control of the party

Libraries hold the key to journeys that will take your mind to places only dreamed of.

Those belongings had to pass through TWO honest hands. Cool story.

Ah man, sorry about this.

Arthur Waite

Arthur Waite

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I hate to be "That Guy", but. . . how do you know who the widows are? And how do they feel about it?

As does whomever proved it true.