The challenge this week was just books and if you look at the header image that is the only image I have with books. So again I thought can’t do this challenge this week, then I thought about places where you can find books. Yep libraries is my response to this one.
I hope Ritva, who is our host doesn’t mind.
I do love photographing libraries, and they can have really interesting architecture. I have found some for you to see. The header image was a little store in Melbourne Central that they turned into one of those libraries where you can leave or take books. It is long gone now.
I’ve never been one to photograph books on their own, but I do like the buildings where many books can be found. I can remember the first time I went into a public library. I think I was 5 and I didn’t know you could borrow them and I tried to steal one from it. Thankfully, the librarian saw me and stopped me. She then explained how the library worked and gave me the information for my mother to fill out so I could borrow them. My mother was always buying me books, but to be able to borrow whichever ones I wanted was such an amazing idea to a 5 year old.
State Library of Victoria
This is the main library in Melbourne.
New York Public Library
So happy I got to see this when I was in New York.
Local Libraries
A couple of the libraries around me.
Can I share another quick story about books before you go? We moved to a new town when I was around 8 and my new teacher was reading the class the book “The Faraway Tree” by Enid Blyton. I thought it was magical, but I missed the start of it. I asked my mum if she would buy it for me and she did. It was the first big book I read from cover to cover, and it made me fall in love with reading. I read it so many times.
Thank you, Ritva, for being our host this week. Please go and take a look at her post.
If you would like to participate in this great challenge, then go to the following link to find out how to join the Lens-Artists Challenge. click here for more info. Don’t forget to put a link in your post back to the host.
Wowwwwww. GREAT libraries. I’m gobsmacked. Excellent.
Thank you John.
When we travel, we always visit different libraries. Of course, to see how they present their books, but also for their architecture. The most interesting library we visited lately was the Deichman Library in Oslo https://fabfourblog.com/?s=How+to+die. The most impressive old libraries we found in Dublin like the Masrsh Library https://fabfourblog.com/2012/11/28/postcard-from-marshs-library-dublin/
Thanks for your showing your pics
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Old libraries are great to photograph.Thank you.
And why not? Libraries have such an important role and they feel wonderful when you’re inside. The possibilities are endless. Your photos are brilliant, Leanne. No one does architecture quite like you.
They do Sofia, I think they have been amazing for many people. They are endless, and that is a very thing of you to say, thank you so much Sofia.
I hope Ritva was as delighted with your interpretation of the challenge as I was! Ideas after all are meant to be springboards, not straitjackets…
I hope so Penny. Glad you enjoyed my interpretation of the challenge and I agree, it doesn’t have to be stict. Thank you Penny.
Some very impressive libraries here and a great way to approach a difficult challenge! I love your story about The Faraway Tree 🙂
Thank you Sarah, I think when I was responding to this my thoughts were, I can do my own interpretation, something I’ve done quite a bit in the past. That’s great Sarah, it is such a great book. 😀
Wonderful libraries to visit Leanne, they are so grand, beautiful. I was a weekly visitor in library as a kid, I did read few Enid Blyton books, but I read more Scandinavian writes then 🙂
Thank you Ritva, they are amazing libraries. That is understandable about what you read as a kid.
Great shots. I love the architecture of grand old libraries, so fun to explore.
They certainly don’t make them like that anymore, that’s for sure. Thank you Stevie.
Wonderful libraries to visit Leanne. I was lucky. My older brothers and sister had a lot of Enid Blyton books and I was hooked as you were
Thank you Brian, you were very lucky. We didn’t have a lot of money, so I wasn’t able to get a lot. I loved the ones I did have.
We didn’t either so I had a lot of hand me down book I suspect were presents for my older siblings. I did get picture books though. I still have a couple of those as well
That is pretty cool. My daughter took a couple of my books because she loved them too.
I better check my bookshelves 😂
You better, 🤣🤣😂
Fun in finding photo. I really must take the plunge and participate! When I finish this present trip…….and things slow down a bit.
It is Geoff, it would be great if you joined in, I’m sure the team that run the challenge would love it.
I LOVE libraries (and bookstores for that matter). Libraries have always been places of comfort and sanctuary for me and I think your photos capture that sense of warmth even when the spaces are vast and grand.
Bookstores are amazing too. Thank you Laura, that first library I worked in for a couple of years a million years ago. I loved it. Thank you Laura.
Leanne, I think your library images are just beautiful., especially the first set. They house books so it fits. I only had that one picture of a book store so I did a twist on it!
Thank you Anne. Glad you agree that it fits. Yeah, it is good to that sometimes.
This is a wonderful collection, Leanne. I loved those library interiors.
Thank you Egidio.
Your treatment of library architecture is great! You’ve really captured the scale. I haven’t seen the NY Public Library, next time I’m on the east coast, I’ll put it on my destinations list!
Thank you Sam, wide angle and fisheye lenses are good for that. Yes, you should go and the NY library, it is amazing. Sadly the big reading room was closed when I was there.
Brilliant post Leanne. That first image is fantastic and your library pics are pretty impressive as well. Great blog 👏
Thank you Steve, funny about that first photo, that is my daughter standing in it, and I found it recently and then sent it to her, and then this challenge came up. I think if I hadn’t sent it to her, I would have forgotten all about it.
An impressive and grand library. I trust books aren’t banned like more backwards countries.
Thank you Ted, no as far as I know there are no books banned in Australia. Not sure how that would go here.
some great architecture, Leanne ‘
Thank you Sue.