Monday, September 9, 2013

Independent Study

I am currently enjoying an extended sabbatical. That is, I haven't quite convinced myself to look for a job yet (it's on my to-do list, I swear). Instead, I'm using up my new town's free services, first and foremost, the library.

Woburn Public Library,
aka Winn Memorial Library

Statue of  Benjamin Thompson.
Isn't it pretty? The architect was Henry H. Richardson, who also designed Trinity Church in the Back Bay of Boston. The statue out front is of Benjamin Thompson, a Woburn-born physicist who served as a soldier for the Loyalists during the Revolution. After the war, he moved back to London. Apparently, all has been forgiven, and he now keeps a careful eye on the courthouse across the street.

The book stacks in the morning light.


When I moved here, I pictured endless hours spent loitering on the upper levels of the stacks, like Burgess Meredith in that Twilight Zone episode before he breaks his glasses. Imagine my disappointment when I learned that the stairs to the upper level have been chained off. The lovely iron balconies have become too rickety (librarian's words, not mine) and only library employees are allowed up. My inner reaction? "That's not fair. That's not fair at all. There was time now. There was all the time I needed....*sob*."

But onward. I am now happily requesting and checking out books with abandon, everything from 84, Charing Cross Road to the Prose Edda. Let the semester begin!

14 comments:

  1. Is Woburn the town you ended up in? I am very jealous of your opportunity to explore that area--I can't count how many times I have come across pictures of beautiful Woburn buildings in my researches.

    That Woburn library you show is a real gem--I would definitely get special permission to go on that balcony--explain that you are interested in the history of the building, and are planning to write an article about it.
    --Road to Parnassus

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    1. You are bolder than I am! Once told no, I feel to awkward to ask for special permission. :)

      Yes, we're here in Woburn. So far, I really like it. In a few years, we may move to one of the other nearby towns, but for right now, it's perfect. There are some really beautiful buildings here (as it seems there are in every New England town I've been to).

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  2. That is a great idea - to ask special permission! That is a fantastic library - I am gobsmacked by it! I do love a library!!!

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  3. I wonder if Woburn has any ancestry connecting it with Woburn in England, the home of the Duke of Bedford.
    The library is a fantastic building, do hope they get the upper storey strengthened and restored so that you can scale the heights.

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    1. The town here is named after the one in Bedfordshire. There is also a Bedford just a couple of towns over, so I imagine many of the early settlers were from that are of England.

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  4. glad you're enjoying your free time! lovely photos!

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  5. Keep an eye out for special events at the library, they may have a tour where they can show you the rickety balconies.

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    1. They are in the midst of raising funds for repairs. So, I should really put my money where my mouth (or keyboard) is.

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  6. Nice post!!! would you like to follow each other?
    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  7. Wow, that is a beautiful library! I think too few of us actually use the library nowadays - myself included! I used to go almost every day when I was younger.

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    1. My Kindle was just so easy. But all those little purchases really add up, so it's back to the library for me!

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