A short compilation of thoughts on libraries by Helene Blowers

1. A library … A short compilation by Helene Blowers | LibraryBytes.com

2. A library has been described as many things by many people …

3. "In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends imprisoned by an enchanter in paper and leathern boxes." Ralph Waldo Emerson http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/13647107/

4. "A library is not simply a repository of books, it is the symbol and center of our culture - a door and a window for those who might not otherwise have such doors and windows." Amy TanAuthor http://www.flickr.com/photos/seier/3463984860/

5. "The library is a societal tent pole, There are a lot of ideas under it. Knock out the pole and the tent comes down“ - Michael Connelly . "The library is a societal tent pole," says Michael Connelly, best-selling author of The Fifth Witness. "There are a lot of ideas under it. Knock out the pole and the tent comes down." Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2079800,00.html#ixzz1S5IzWb7R

6. "Libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy, and community." Paula Poundstone http://www.flickr.com/photos/taste/1338042635/

7. Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination."Sidney SheldonAuthor http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesfallen/2102384345

8. "Libraries are the latest fashion for the brain." E. Jean CarrollAuthor http://www.flickr.com/photos/moriza/149187332

9. "A good library is a place, a palace where the lofty spirits of all nations and generations meet." Samuel Nig http://www.flickr.com/photos/environment/2167097486/

10. "We all love to hear a good story. We save our stories in books. We save our books in libraries. Libraries are the storyhouses full of all those stories and secrets." Kathy BatesActor http://www.flickr.com/photos/hansvanrijnberk/2598234846/

11. "Libraries are places where the imagination begins." Heather BarbieriAuthor http://www.flickr.com/photos/esparta/472155815

12. "A library, to modify the famous metaphor of Socrates, should be the delivery room for the birth of ideas - a place where history comes to life." Norman Cousins (1915-1990)Political Journalist & Author http://www.flickr.com/photos/gabi_menashe/218574269/

13. "A library is a true fairyland, a very palace of delight, a haven of repose from the storms and troubles of the world." Avebury http://www.flickr.com/photos/59195512@N00/802607313/

14. "Libraries are where dreams begin." Jamie FrevelettiAuthor

15. "A library is both comfort food and inspiration, opportunity for growth, and the place where anyone can come for personal enrichment." Judy StrongAuthor http://www.flickr.com/photos/smanography/3056487326/

16. "Libraries are the doorway to a thousand worlds." Kristan HigginsAuthor http://www.flickr.com/photos/denn/184158506/

17. "Libraries are the air an author breathes. The creative storehouse for the writer's soul. The single indispensable link to the next generation of readers." Andy StrakaAuthor http://www.flickr.com/photos/dearbarbie/2105903679/

18. "Libraries: cafeterias for food that feeds the mind." Louise YelinAuthor http://www.flickr.com/photos/fornal/394740182

19. But perhaps one of my favorite thoughts on libraries comes from the Father of Modern Librarianship himself … (be sure to pay special attention to his caveat)

20. A library's function is to give the public in the quickest and cheapest way information, inspiration, and recreation. If a better way than the book can be found, we should use it." - Melvil Dewey (1851-1931) http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigberto/2650932169/

21. A library … So what are your thoughts?