This is so wholesomely lovely and I'm glad you had a girl who did that with you. As baby queers, we only need one other person out there to connect with, to know that we're not alone.
I love this story, Robin. The sweetness of it makes my heart happy. That libraries are so many things for so many people, so welcoming to all, is exactly why I love them and this seed pod!
The sweetness of the memory sustains me, too. It's nice sometimes to capture the moments and not let anything else intrude upon their solemn beauty. Libraries make that possible.
Thank you, Robin, for this beautiful post! I think most of us librarians hope that the library can be that safe space for people to be their authentic selves wherever they are in the process of self-discovery. Part of the reason we fight so fiercely against book bans these days is so that our LGBTQ+ friends can not only hold hands under (or better yet, above) the table but also recognize themselves in our collections.
I fondly recall when a teen came out during an event at my the library because we made them feel safe (I say 'we' because it was really the entire library staff, I was just the manager). It was a happy day!
Oleg, you sound like the most welcoming librarian ever. We all deserve these kinds of safe and inclusive spaces, especially with books that represent us. I'm so glad you're here.
I love the idea of a library meet cute but mostly love that it was a safe space for you. Libraries are safe harbors for so many.
On a less serious note, this also reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - telling your mom you’re going to study in the library, but it’s actually the secret meetup spot for other fun things like slaying and demon research. Very clandestine!
Ha! I never put that together, but it's a good comparison. And weren't they all doing the same thing? Falling in love with the forbidden (much older) vamp guy, secretly learning spells, the occasional demonic incantation...
One outfit consisted of a matching sweatshirt and sweatpants in (suppressing some barf here) banana yellow that my mom had applied iron-on decals of little black and white sheep (not just on the shirt). I was probably 12 at the time. I don’t know how I survived to adulthood some days.
Ha! I was a bit more fortunate in that my Mom had a love for Roots Athletics (unsure how known they are outside of Canada) so I was basically always in their clothes. Not stylish but not particularly un-stylish either.
Such a beautiful memory, Robin. From being a real go-getter in the awkwardness category (ha!) to sharing so freely and vulnerably your work here with us, thank you!
I love this very personal story and why libraries are also a study in love and freedom. Vital, vital spaces, knowledge acquisition about oneself and others, support, romance, opening of books, minds and hearts. Love it.
Such a lovely way to think about the library as a safe, hospitable space!
I think that's what libraries are to so many of us.
This is the sweetest and the most tender ❤️ It really reminded me of those super shy first teenage crushes.
That's exactly what it was. I was such a smitten dork.
That is too adorable 🥰
Adorable! What a beautiful story.
Aww, the sweetest library story ever! 📚 🥰
Thanks for sharing this Robin! I hadn't connected my love of libraries (and books) to the fact they feel like safe spaces.
This is so wholesomely lovely and I'm glad you had a girl who did that with you. As baby queers, we only need one other person out there to connect with, to know that we're not alone.
So true. Just one connection is all it takes to open the world to us.
So so lovely, dear Robin! 🩷🩵🤍
Aww, I love this story. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
I love this story, Robin. The sweetness of it makes my heart happy. That libraries are so many things for so many people, so welcoming to all, is exactly why I love them and this seed pod!
The sweetness of the memory sustains me, too. It's nice sometimes to capture the moments and not let anything else intrude upon their solemn beauty. Libraries make that possible.
This was so lovely to read.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Lou!
Thank you, Robin, for this beautiful post! I think most of us librarians hope that the library can be that safe space for people to be their authentic selves wherever they are in the process of self-discovery. Part of the reason we fight so fiercely against book bans these days is so that our LGBTQ+ friends can not only hold hands under (or better yet, above) the table but also recognize themselves in our collections.
I fondly recall when a teen came out during an event at my the library because we made them feel safe (I say 'we' because it was really the entire library staff, I was just the manager). It was a happy day!
Oleg, you sound like the most welcoming librarian ever. We all deserve these kinds of safe and inclusive spaces, especially with books that represent us. I'm so glad you're here.
I only follow in the footsteps of the many yea-saying librarians that came before me.
I love the idea of a library meet cute but mostly love that it was a safe space for you. Libraries are safe harbors for so many.
On a less serious note, this also reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - telling your mom you’re going to study in the library, but it’s actually the secret meetup spot for other fun things like slaying and demon research. Very clandestine!
Ha! I never put that together, but it's a good comparison. And weren't they all doing the same thing? Falling in love with the forbidden (much older) vamp guy, secretly learning spells, the occasional demonic incantation...
Yes exactly!! 😍
Thank you for sharing this Robin - I love that we both found a safe haven at the library but for very different reasons!
PS my mom picked out my clothes until well into high school as well. Sending you love from another huge “geek nerd”
One outfit consisted of a matching sweatshirt and sweatpants in (suppressing some barf here) banana yellow that my mom had applied iron-on decals of little black and white sheep (not just on the shirt). I was probably 12 at the time. I don’t know how I survived to adulthood some days.
Ha! I was a bit more fortunate in that my Mom had a love for Roots Athletics (unsure how known they are outside of Canada) so I was basically always in their clothes. Not stylish but not particularly un-stylish either.
❤️ I do so love libraries!
Such a beautiful memory, Robin. From being a real go-getter in the awkwardness category (ha!) to sharing so freely and vulnerably your work here with us, thank you!
I think all the awkward kids turned out to be pretty cool.
I bet they did!
I love this very personal story and why libraries are also a study in love and freedom. Vital, vital spaces, knowledge acquisition about oneself and others, support, romance, opening of books, minds and hearts. Love it.