REVEALED----The Secret Life of # 1875 !!

North Vernon Old Library

OK ! The title is a bit of an overreach. Number 1875 was my library card number at the old North Public Library.

Each Friday, sometimes on Saturday, my folks would journey to the big city of North Vernon for groceries and a host of other stops. I would be let out in front of my home away from home--The Library.

The brick and concrete was almost a sacred temple for me. As I climbed the outdoor steps, I knew was entering the Holy of Holies.  

Upon entering, a library patron was immediately aware of the unmistakable odor of old books written by authors many times smarter than you.

The circulation desk was straight ahead as you entered the second floor of the library. Usually two ladies sat behind the desk. One was old, cranky, and not very nice. The second was much younger, much prettier, and possessed a figure of some delightful confirmation ----at least to a teenage farm boy. Her voice was as pleasant as her looks. I always tried to present my books for checkout to her. 

The periodicals that garnered my attention was Sky and Telescope, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Boys Life (Boys Scout Magazine) Scientific American, and occasionally, Car and Driver. In addition, I tried to read at least one fishing article from Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, or Sports Afield.

The newspapers were attached to long wooden rods with slits in them. The sports page was my first destination and the second was the radio program schedule. Our little black, tubed Admiral was my private portal to the world.

CONFESSION TIME : Later, as a high school student, I would check and see what movies were playing in Louisville and Indianapolis. Here comes the confession---I would look at the Burlesque Show ads---even though I never went. Some of the girls had some very exotic and intriguing names. (Thank God for forgiveness!)

During my years at the library I read a lot of biographies--- Abe Lincoln, Buffalo Bill, Babe Ruth, Kit Carson, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, David Livingston, and a score of others.

I read every book in the library on astronomy and cosmology. Ditto for radio and electronics. All of the non-fiction books were by and large written prior to 1950.

Rarely, I would venture into the fiction stacks. Here the books were published more recently than the non-fiction works.

As I previously mentioned in an earlier Post, I was the only boy that qualified for a summer reading program party. I believe I read 20 books that summer to earn the entrance to the cookie and punch celebration at the library.

Even though more than a half century has elapsed, I distinctly recall the locations of the books and periodicals I read the most.

For years, I kept my old # 1875 library card. The card has long since been lost. However, the memories of that wonderful and mysterious fount of knowledge and inspiration will remain until I cross the River to that Golden City not made by Human Hands.

Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday