8-23-10 Eliana is Rapunzel in the Library's Castle
Friends:
Being at home and not traveling has given me this sense of “nesting.” I love my home and enjoy cooking and cozying up with a good book. But then there’s sometimes “too much of a good thing.” Last week, I was terribly sick, sneezing, wheezing, snuffling and puffling on my inhaler. I was in bed most of the time and read lots of books but I did not venture outside the entire week. I was feeling a little (a lot) claustrophobic and in need of a new environment. So I decided to recharge my creative battery at my local library!
I have fond memories of the West Bank Regional Library in Jefferson Parish. It’s the library that began my career as a storyteller. It’s the library that reignited my passion for writing children’s books. It’s the library that provided me with books that taught me the art of storytelling and children’s book publishing.
Well, the library suffered major damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The library fell in disrepair and she slumped under roof leaks and itched with a moldy rash. Imagine my surprise when yesterday, I walked into the “new” library, fresh from renovation. She stands tall and proud, boasting new furniture, a better-organized floor plan, and free Wifi. She has an air of vibrancy she never projected post-Katrina. There are multiple outlets for laptops and other electronic devices. And there are cool self check-out machines. The children’s area is pretty with colorful chairs and tables and a magnificent two-story castle! Eliana loved it and climbed to the top, pretending to be “Rapunzel.”
8-23-10 My books at my local library!
I even found my picture books at the library! To think that ten years ago, I gazed wistfully at the shelves, hoping one day that my books would be found next to “Tomie dePaola.” And today, it is a reality (de Las Casas is indeed next to dePaola).
I couldn’t think of a better place to work and do the final edits to my upcoming book, There’s a Dragon in the Library (Pelican Publishing, Spring 2010). There’s a castle in the library in my book and there’s a REAL castle in my local library! How fitting and serendipitous, I think. My book’s life began in a library and continues its life in the library. So for the past couple of days, I lounged at the library, loving the stacks. I even checked out a couple of books (okay 10 if you want to get technical).
Libraries are still wonderfully magical to me…
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Dianne,
My love of books was also nourished by a library in New Orleans – as a young child I spent many magical hours in the Latter Library on St. Charles Avenue! Then I grew up to be a children’s librarian and sell children’s books for Barefoot Books.
We met at the ALA conference in Anaheim, CA in 2008 after I attended your awesome presentation there. I have loved following you through your blog and newletters.
Hope our paths cross again!
Eve
The Barefoot Librarian
Because of your RT of one of my tweets, I found you and your marvelous blog! One thing we share is a love of public libraries. Thank goodness for Ben Franklin, Andrew Carnegie, and local politicians who support one of the greatest potential democratic vehicles in the world–the local library. And I am so glad that that a library in New Orleans has come back to life better than ever. I volunteered two weeks of my time to help restore houses in New Orleans. Hope the whole city comes back better than ever!
Dear Shirley:
Thank you very much for stopping by! I so appreciate your kind words! And thank you for doing your part in bringing back our wonderful city. That is remarkable!
Happy Tales,
Dianne
Dear Dianne,
this is wonderful! I look forward to read more about your new book and the presentation in the library. A beautiful day and my best thoughts to you. Nathalie
Hi Dianne,
I was recently told that The Book Farm and Story Connection Express have a minor history where we have donated some books to you for various reasons (children’s literacy). Should you come across the need again, please shoot me an e-mail and let me see if I can help. Thanks
Chris Tinsley
The Book Farm
sales@thebookfarm.biz