Well, there are lots of reasons I want to make this library. A large part of it is simply wanting a place to store volumes which I know are crucial to preserve. Both for my own access, and also for the greater community. This includes both modern books and much older ones.
One example would be The Drugless Family Physician. E. L. Swick. It's very rare and hard to find for sale. But I suspect that it would be immensely useful to have in a collection. Both as a well-researched source of medical information, and as a history book. The sort which warns you about not repeating history.
Then on the other end of the spectrum, Strawman Story. Clint Richardson. An incredibly thoughtful and thorough deconstruction of the fictional lives we've led as a society in America, Canada, and many other countries. It's a great attempt at correcting the foibles of our parents' and grandparents' generations.
Secondly, this library simply gives a space for its patrons to sit and work. While it is clear that I would have to charge much more for people using the space for such, it wouldn't undermine its purpose at all. If anything it would underline its importance. And even though square footage will likely be minimal at first, additions of one kind or another could be squeezed into the campus. Plus a good design can find clever ways to stretch a space.
Thirdly, comes research. Not just providing a home for books, or a place for patrons to spend their time. This, in my opinion, is where a library as this one would really shine. Personally, I have a few threads of research and study which could constitute a good portion of this library's collection. Yet I think much of the magic would come from hearing what our patrons really want to get out of the collections.
If we are restricted to 1,000 volumes, then reference books ought to be a priority.
Another beautiful thing about this little organization would be that we can cater to our community, whoever they are. We can, with some discernment, offer useful services to both the minority and majority. This is the sort of thing that can only happen with smaller groups of people, and active, thoughtful curation.
For example, if there were only one blind (or reading impaired) person who wanted to use our space, we could find some small ways to accommodate him. In time those accommodations could accumulate, and become a respectable part of what we do. If he wanted to read passages from a book which has no digital representation, I could spend a chunk of my daily library time to transcribe it into a text file. Either for text-to-speech, or for his braille display.
Then with only a little effort, that chunk of transcribed text could be put into our digital collection. Over time that one small service, could become another service which allows patrons to remotely view parts of our collection. Parts which would be available, even if the volume itself is sold.
Having a really nice book collection, has been a passive interest of mine for quite awhile. Especially in recent years, after seeing how great a private collection can be. But I'm a person who doesn't care so much to accumulate things without sharing them. So the idea of a private and hyper-local library has slowly coalesced in my mind since late-2020.
In 2019 I was able to see first hand, how a small business can create a beautiful and accessible place for people of all walks of life to gather. Both socially, and individually for work and pleasure. Dobra Tea of Northampton Massachusetts, did this exceedingly well. Now it had some rough edges in achieving that goal, but I think many of those can be smoothed out. Besides, you can't find diamonds in the rough if everything is already pristine.
Related to that idea, is being able to cater to both the majority and the minority. Using some discernment to assist patrons with specials needs or preferences. Obviously not everyone can be accommodated; but I'd like to think that the process of assisting the minority, we can diversify what we provide to the majority. Giving us all a richer experience. Our ability to do this will only deepen our role in the local community.
There is also the interest (of mine) in adding value to larger communities outside of our own. Whether we put content online, or engage in some kind of book trading, or some other exciting arrangement; there is so much we could offer. Especially in the current "truth movement." Having the funds at my disposal to curate a valuable collection of knowledge, and making it available to those who are seeking it out, would be an absolute pleasure.
Preserving valuable books, and making them readily available.
Having a really nice book collection, has been an interest of mine for awhile. Especially after seeing how great a private collection can be, and how a small business can create a beautiful and accessible place for people from all walks of life to gather. So starting in late-2020, from these anecdotal memories, the idea of a private-local library has slowly coalesced.
At the core of this, is my desire to serve others in a deeper and more meaningful way, than most public libraries are able to.
By protecting and preserving knowledge (as all good libraries do), while making it readily available to anyone who asks for it. This alone can add tremendous value to our local community, as well as the greater ones.
By catering to both the majority and the minority, enriching the experience of all patrons.
