Library Hopping

I'm fickle. I abandoned the Montclair State Library after just that one day and today drove to the Glen Ridge Library instead.

Oh, I do like this one. An old grandfather clock stands near my work table, watching me (he seems shorter than usual, so maybe dates to days when grandpas were shorter?) and a steep, narrow circular staircase leads to secret rooms. The town's historical archives are up there, secured in old dark wood cabinets with ornate iron mesh screen doors, for airflow and visibility, like an old pie safe. A sign says don't drink coffee or other beverages in that vicinity. The rooms have arches and wooden railings, and that's just scratching the surface. This space reminds me of the old Hearst Magazines offices, with their floor-to-ceiling mahogany cabinets, fireplaces in the top editors' offices (I haven't yet found hearths here) and transoms over the doors. History. History lives on here. And herstory.

Well, I did work well here and now I have to drive home (14 minutes in this after-school rush hour) and take Spice to an appointment.

Enjoy your day.

Cool info from Wikipedia:

The borough of Glen Ridge is one of a few in New Jersey preserving the use of gas lamps for street lighting.

In 1666, 64 Connecticut families led by Robert Treat bought land from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans and named it New Ark to reflect a covenant to worship freely without persecution. The territory included the future towns of Bloomfield, Montclair, Belleville and Nutley. 

Tom Cruise graduated from Glen Ridge High. I bet he went to this library.