Neil Gaiman Throws His Support behind THE LIBRARY
NEIL GAIMAN THROWS HIS SUPPORT BEHIND 'THE LIBRARY'
Some exaggerations may have occurred in the portrayal of this news item.
The Library can be found here:
Episode #1
Episode #2
In a recent lecture given by Neil, he details the importance of libraries, and the role they play in society. As an author of some renown, his voice in this matter is one that is welcome, and his support is appreciated.
What's that you say? But he's not talking about my library. Okay, quite possibly true. He was generalising, but artistic licence allows me to fudge the lines a little.
We Need Libraries
It is obviously in my interest for people to read, for them to read fiction, for libraries and librarians to exist and help foster a love of reading and places in which reading can occur.
In the above quote Neil shows just how important libraries are to fostering reading, and places to read. And what better place to read than at The Library. It's an easy connection to make. Libraries are great, he is saying. The Library fits that bill. Therefore The Library is great. Thanks Neil.
Exposing My Bias
So I’m biased as a writer. But I am much, much more biased as a reader.
So am I Neil, so am I. We have that in common. I love The Library, and I collate The Library, so there's my bias on full display. No shame in that I suppose.
Could The Library Be Harmful?
Fiction has two uses. Firstly, it’s a gateway drug to reading.
This is a little awkward. I think Neil is implying I am a drug pusher now. But what a great drug it is. The highs you get from this one. I mean, have you read a great book lately? Tripped off into it's stratosphere? Filled your veins with its flowing story lines? I do it all the time. Drug pushers are not supposed to get hooked on their own supply. What can I say – I'm an addict.
The Library Fosters Understanding
And the second thing fiction does is to build empathy.
The Library is place where good fiction is shared. Ideas about fiction. And yet more links to more fiction. That's a lot of empathy. Can you feel the love?
But Neil is correct. Libraries help foster a connection, deeply rooted within us and between us. Because they harbour books, filled with stories. Stories of adventure, and love, hope and ideas. Stories of travels, and space and oddities of all sorts. But mostly stories of people. People who are not us, yet seem so much like us at times. We feel connected. We empathise.
In that sense libraries are holy ground. The Library is almost a temple. The logic behind it is undeniable. Anyway don't over think it, let's move on.
And It Gets Political
But libraries are about freedom. Freedom to read, freedom of ideas, freedom of communication. They are about education (which is not a process that finishes the day we leave school or university), about entertainment, about making safe spaces, and about access to information.
And they say you shouldn't talk about politics. But here you go, libraries are about freedom. The Library stands front and centre in our ongoing battle to be free beings. Emancipate yourself, as Bob Marley once sang. Let The Library help you.
Neil Gaiman is so wise. And he's a great author. And I may have taken his words slightly out of context. It's possible. But I'm a writer, and writing is about freedom. Neil himself said so.
Thanks for reading. See you in The Library.
If you care to read the full lecture, it is available here
Yesterday's post 1: RAMBLE ON #4 - Love, Sex, and Guru Powers
Yesterday's post 2: Homecoming part 1 (Audio version)
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you liked it then please like, comment, and follow.
@naquoya
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Links to earlier works
Who is Naquoya
- Fiction
My Fiction Writing Collection
Writing Myself Out of Existence
When the Levee Breaks
Reality Fading
- Blog Posts
Notes #1 - #39 - Notes From An Amateur Writer Collection
Notes #40 - Read, Write, and Face the Future
Notes #41 - What Are Some Of Your Favourite Books?
Notes #42 - Website Review: Fiction University
Notes #43 - Seeking a Community Of Writers
Notes #44 - What Are Some of Your Favourite Characters?
Notes #45 - When Madness Came Knocking
Notes #46 - Why Do I Write?
Notes #47 - Books vs Movies: Who Wore it Better?
Notes #48 - Google Seems to Know Me too Well
Notes #49 - Conversation With My Multiple Selves
Notes #50 - Revisiting Childhood With Storm Boy and Mr Percival
Notes #51 - Some Of The Books That I Am Reading
Notes #52 - A Nomadic Australian Celebrates Australia Day
Notes #53 - Finding the Right Character For the Job
Notes #54 - But First Coffee
-Ramble On (Humour based fictional travel blog)
#1 - Introducing My New Travel Blog
#2 - Making a Deal With the Devil
#3 - Getting Arrested, For Resisting Arrest
Reviews
Crooked God Machine - Autumn Christian
Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk
Altered Carbon - Richard Morgan
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - Philip K. Dick
American Gods - Neil Gaiman
-Curation Posts
The Library #1
The Library #2
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My Poetry Collection
Thank you for the interesting read - I have to say I've never actually read a book while in the library - I must try it someday :)
I don't tend to go to libraries often anymore. It's all on my kindle. But as the creator of The Library (a curation post I collate) I thought his speech was very useful :)
Another beautifully written and formatted post, love the colorful top graphic (very eye-catching when opening the post!). Neil Gaiman is one of my favorites, hope you share more on him!
Thank you for your feedback. That image jumped out at me when i saw it (I use unsplash.com). Very colourful. Glad it had that impact for you also.
Neil Gaiman is certainly one of my favourites. i did a review post on American Gods recently. Hope to catch up on more of his material soon
Awesome, checking out unsplash right now, looks like beautiful stock, thanks for the tip!
Yes, it's a great resource. I use them all the time for my images.
I love and support our library. Although “safe spaces” seemed an odd reference. While I buy most of the books I read, I sometimes visit the library to see if there are books that interest me.
Safe spaces is probably there as a buzz word for today's youth. I did see that but read past it. But libraries are indeed great places. I tend to purchase these days - and usually for the Kindle device. Although bookstores, and libraries offer a chance to peruse the latest offerings and find new inspirations. Hopefully my virtual library can mirror that in some little way :)
I remember one summer in which I spent nearly every day at The Library - at least an hour or two. Maybe not great for my physical fitness, but certainly great for my mental fitness. In college The Stacks were always my refuge between classes and for studying. I loved being surrounded by books. After college responsibilities kept growing and there were no libraries in my life. Bookstores yes, they have their place as well.
Thankfully I now have a 7 year-old daughter and The Library is back in my life. Fortunately our city has a wonderful library system, and my daughter is learning to love reading, so a weekly trip to The Library is appreciated by all.
And for those who don't read - hey The Library has movies now too :)
Libraries are core cultural hubs, that's for sure. I love hearing about the role they have played in people's lives. The memories they have of them. And yours here also. A great anecdote. Like its gone full circle and come back into your life, at a higher level, through the generations.
I owe a debt of gratitude for my love of reading to libraries. The access to so many great books when just a poor student made a difference.
Thanks for your comment :)
You made me laugh right upfront. I am not sure the last time I was actually in a libary but I do love reading. I am a huge fantasy fan, I love the places its makes my imagination go. There are some books I struggle to put down and then I get to the last book in the series and I take forever to read the last four chapter cause I never want it to end lol.
I think library's are a great resource for any communiy, many in WA have been revamped of completely rebuilt which is a positive sign for the future.
Glad I got the laughs early. Hopefully keep you reading for more :)
And yes that feeling of a book or series coming to an end. NO! I don't want to leave this new world. Can't I stay just a little while longer?
It's always good to see libraries receive funding and support, especially as that flows back into the community in so many way. As a central hub of creativity, imaginations, new worlds, learning, knowledge - the list goes on.
Thanks for your comment.
My favorite place is to spend time is a library. Even if I am not reading, just walking around the bookshelves is a sheer delight.
I love walking around inside a library soaking up the feeling that comes from so many books. I get exactly what you are saying here.
Great post! Like I said, borrowing trust of an established audience is a great way to build interest and you did it well. Your layout and image use was great. the article is visual appealing, great writing. One thing, the bucket brigade? I think the Gaiman thing was a very subtle approach to it, you might have tried, I'll let him speak in his own words on the subject here in a minute, but... Other than that! lovely read, thanks!
Ah yes, I think i did underwhelm on the bucket brigade concept. Sorry about that. I was keeping it subtle, but too subtle is probably pointless. Your idea would have been perfect. Thanks for the feedback.
Not a problem. You've got the writing thing down. Really nice piece.
I love libraries and think they are very important. My love of reading was fostered by public libraries in East Lansing, Michigan. There was a mobile library that was parked close to my home and I loved going there to get books.
That's great to hear. Public libraries have made a huge difference for so many of us. These stories have been great to hear, as has knowing the connection you have to them and to reading. Thanks for sharing :)
For a second there, I thought Neil was actually endorsing the Library haha! Even though you broke the cardinal rule of pushing, you still do a bang up job of it. Nothing wrong with sampling the goods while you dish it out to the masses. The highs (and lows) from books do reach levels psychotropics could only dream of, don't they?
Neil really was spruiking for my own library. No exaggerations. Okay, some exaggerations. Okay, I totally lied. Busted.
And yes, I am sampling the goods. It's a public service. I am a good type of dealer. I'm glad you get it :)
Just wanted to say that I have a teen who loves to read and if the Library would allow her to keep them all forever she would... she adores books. We utilize the library in our area as often as possible but she prefers ownership of the read over the lend. She’s quite the feisty one, so I feel she will challenge her peers one day intellectually without fear.
@jeejee
Yes, the problem with libraries is they expect their books back. As for your daughter, being feisty, into books, intellectually without fear, then libraries would be like a second home for one like her. It's only natural. Sounds like she'll take on the world one day :)
I learned to love books later in life. I wasn't as into them at a young age as my peers were, but eventually I grew to love them. And I remember my local libraries having a lot to do with making books so accessible to me.
I constantly have to remind myself that she’s only 14... but that she IS 14. There’s a trip wire there and as a Mother, well... I have all kinds of things that go through my head. I’m so very proud of her and love the fact that she loves to read. Fearless and bravery are her two most recognizable characteristics.
That's great to hear, and thank you for sharing. Best chance for children is when they have the genuine support of their parents (speaking as one who never had that). All the best :)
Thank you