As an abused child
I escaped to a library
from a discordant home
full of screaming, anger
loved library peace
read and dreamed there
I who had few possessions
possessed for two weeks
transcending books.
The children’s librarian
made me feel important
loved in that library
As an adolescent
in a bad city high school
I got my real education
in the public library.
Librarians were my teachers
finding me books
libraries a sanctuary still
As a young reporter
I found in libraries
background for assignments
a quiet place to write.
Libraries made me a writer
As a young mother
I shared the library
with my children.
Now as a gerontologist
I love to see elders
in reading rooms and
at library events
finding refuge, stimulation
companionship, information
Now I speak at libraries
my books are in libraries.
I give a little to libraries
in gratitude
– Ruth Harriet Jacobs
