I Love Libraries

I've been thinking quite a bit about libraries this summer as I'm coaching in the Finding Photo Freedom workshop because it is designed to help us set up a Library of Memories.

One of my favorite places to go is the Public Library. We are a family of readers, so we visit our local public library often. The library is filled with hardback books, paperback books, audio books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and reference materials. These items are spread throughout the building in numerous rooms which span two floors.

Because we enjoy reading, we have our own Library of Books at home. We have books in every room of the house (except the laundry room!). Our library consists of hardback books, paperback books, and a few audio books. Some of these are stored on bookshelves, others are stacked on bedside tables, and a select few are displayed on end tables. (You can see our Library of Books in this photos-only post I published recently - Readers Live Here.)

We also have a Library of Movies, which consists of DVDs, VHS tapes (yes, that sounds archaic, but we have two working VCRs and a wonderful collection of old movies that we enjoy), and movies saved on the DVR. This library is filled with not only movies but also episodes of our favorite TV shows and documentaries. It is a wonderful collection that we can pull from and view at any time.

However, my favorite library is our Library of Memories, which consists of all the items that help us store and share our memories through photos, words, and memorabilia. This collection is also very eclectic and spread throughout the house. We have what I call our Memory Shelf in the living room.

              

As you can see, this shelf unit houses our Library of Memories Category Albums (on the middle shelf) along with numerous other scrapbooks and photo albums, some of these are arranged chronologically, some of them by theme, and others showcase one event. All of these items are part of our library.

Mini-albums and photos books are displayed in baskets in our front room, several Photo Album Scrapbooks reside on the dresser in our guest room, framed photos adorn the walls in our hallway, several of my favorite theme albums are on display in my craft room, and playbills & programs are conveniently located in a magazine rack near the chairs in our front room. All of these items invite us and visitors to our home to enjoy our Library of Memories.

According to Encarta Dictionary, one definition of a library is “a collection of books, newspapers, records, tapes, or other materials that are valuable for research.” That’s exactly what we are creating with our Library of Memories system - a collection of books and other items that are valuable for “research” about our life and the life of our family!

So, even if you've never taken Stacy Julian's Library of Memories or Finding Photo Freedom workshop, did you realize that you are still creating your own library filled with photo albums and scrapbooks and theme albums and framed photos? And just like in a library, those items are meant to be "checked out", thumbed through, and read often!