Ray Bradbury is a marvelous writer and a rather eccentric person, but he is tireless in advocating for public libraries. Currently, he is helping the the H.P. Wright Library in Ventura County, California (near Los Angeles) raise the money to make up for a $280,000 budget shortfall that will force the library to close. The New York Times ran an article about Bradbury and the library recently. Bradbury, you may know, wrote his novel Fahrenheit 451 on a pay typewriter in a library. He is quoted in the article:
“Libraries raised me,” Mr. Bradbury said. “I don’t believe in colleges and universities. I believe in libraries because most students don’t have any money. When I graduated from high school, it was during the Depression and we had no money. I couldn’t go to college, so I went to the library three days a week for 10 years.”
The thing is, he probably has a better education than most people who spend four years and thousands of dollars to go to college. But then Bradbury also says that he remembers being born and being in his mother’s womb, so I suppose even being educated by a library is an imperfect experience.
Do read the article, and be sure to click on the multimedia link on the left to hear him talk.
In other news, I finished Enchanted April and will do a proper write up of this wonderful book tomorrow. I have now begun Rebecca and am enjoying it immensely.
That’s a very good point he makes about libraries, and while I think college can do a person a lot of good, so can heavy-duty reading in a library!
An interesting meme might be the libraries that readers enjoy. I would start with the Huntington Beach Public Library just after Gothard Boulevard in Huntington Beach.
I am thrilled to hear that you are enjoying Rebecca. I found the biography of Daphne incredibly interesting.
I never understand how someone can advocate against public libraries… It’s like being against education.
I may not have liked his book all too much (it’s okay) but I certainly like Mr Bradbury’s attitude towards libraries and self-education. I tip my hat.
I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about Enchanted April. It’s been years since I read it, but I remember liking it so much.
I love anyone who advocates for libraries. That being said, I think the combination of classroom experience and continuing education at the library is best. I can never quite put my finger on it, but there’s just something to be said for learning some of the things that one learns in college, not the least of which is discipline for sticking with a topic/book/course that bores you to tears (especially when one makes the magical discovery that it isn’t so boring after all. Of course, that doesn’t always happen, but it’s great when it does), as well as encouragement and feedback from peers and mentors. However, if one can’t afford an education, the library is a fine substitute, which is why public libraries are so, so important.
I heard Ray Bradbury speak once, and he has a great sense of humor and was both informative and entertaining. I love autodidacts! I love the idea of loving learning enough to do it on your own. Colleges and universities have their place, but without that intrinsic curiosity and eagerness to learn, a student can graduate with little real knowledge. I put funding of public libraries right up at the top of any spending program.
Loved Rebecca and Enchanted April!
“Ray Bradbury is a marvelous writer and a rather eccentric person” — well said!
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again…
I have always believed that most of what we learn is self-taught (anyway, I used that line in a seminar I once co-chaired) But, I really do believe there is great truth in it. And, what a wonderous place is a library! How many lovely memories many of us have of our first. I can still picture in my mind where I could find my favorite books in my first library…an old store front building…back in the days when there was a little card tucked into a pocket inside the back cover, upon which you’d write your name in pencil. The librarian would file away that card, and stick another card inside the pocket on which she wrote the due date. Public libraries really rock!
What a great story. I wish all libraries had a supporter of this caliber in their corner.
The thing about libraries is that they contain an education for everyone, regardless of their circumstances or their past. That’s quite amazing when you think of it – what an opportunity, what a resource. I hope he makes the money he needs. And you are in the midst of a great reading streak there!
Dorothy, there is something to be said for a library education, isn’t there? I think the library has definitely given my college education a run for the money.
Bruce, I could write pages and pages on libraries I have loved! What’s the title of the Daphne bio?
Biblibio, not supporting libraries seems so undemocratic in some way, doesn’t it? It makes me want to rudely say, what’s the matter with you?
Jeane, I hope I don’t disappoint you. I’m not sure how anything I say about it can convey how simply wonderful the book is.
Emily, I wouldn’t give up my college education, it was/is a valuable experience. But as you say for those who cannot afford college, or for those for whom school might not be the thing, the library is a marvelous alternative.
Jenclair, how lucky you are for having heard Bradbury speak! I out library funding at the top of the important list as well. Too bad so many politicians fail to recognize how necessary libraries are.
wil, thanks! Oh you’ve read Rebecca! What a great first line that is!
Grad, you know, I am inclined to believe the same thing. I do think the guidance of a teacher is important at times especially for feedback and direction. But yeah, the things I have learned best I taught myself.
Lisa, wouldn’t it be nice? Maybe there needs to be a celebrity adopt a library program
Litlove, it is quite amazing and potentially dangerous too for those who rely on holding power through keeping people ignorant. I’ve always liked that there is that edge to libraries. And yes, I am in the midst of a fantastic reading streak!
Stefanie, this is going to sound so absolutely crazy, and very non-bookish of me, but for some reason I thought that Ray Bradbury had passed away.
So, I am glad to hear that he is not only alive, but doing great things on behalf of libraries.
I can’t believe I’ve never read anything by Bradbury. Really. Isn’t that awful. I love how he typed is novel at a library. How cool is that. Thank you for linking the article and will be reading that.
Oh and hope you are enjoying Rebecca!
The library: everyone’s ‘room of one’s own.’
We need more eccentrics like this. Also, I have a pretty good memory, but just for the record, I have no recollection of my own birth or time in the womb.
I have an inordinate fondness for Mr. Bradbury, and his advocacy for public libraries only makes me love him more. He is simply wonderful!