When I walk into any library, it feels like I have just taken a deep breath. There is something magical about a place full of books. Weary travelers like us found refuge in libraries throughout our New England journey.
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” Jorge Luis Borge
We often camped in areas with no cell service or wifi. It was great to know that each town we visited, large or small, had at least one library where we could check email, relax and catch our breath, without having to spend a dime.
“The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” Albert Einstein
Some libraries were busy hubs of the community, packed with people working and studying. Some felt quiet and peaceful, with readers calmly strolling the stacks. Each library on our trip had its own unique personality. We enjoyed each one.
Early libraries were exclusive to wealthy individuals who paid a subscription fee for access to materials. The New England region is home to the first public libraries in the country funded through taxes. The public library model began to multiply after the Civil War. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie is known for funding over 1,600 public libraries across the United States.
“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in a desert.” – Andrew Carnegie
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