The Library-Lovin’ Blog Challenge continues!  As you may remember, or would know if you read this, between now and Saturday, April 2nd, I’ll donate $1 to the Louisville Free Public Library for every person who comments on this blog.  Never one to expect new results with old enticements, I thought I’d add something new to the mix: a top ten.  (Well, let’s see if I can get ten.)

Here are my top ten libraries in literature and life, in no particular order, although some favoritism may be noted toward those at the top of the stack (get it, stack?  Yuk yuk yuk.)  If you want to leave a comment, feel free to write about your favorite library, or you can just say, “I love libraries!”

1) Sunnydale High School Library, aka Buffy’s hangout, aka Giles’s lair.

I know, I’m always going on about Giles.  Not only is he incredibly sexy (The Ripper…), but hello, he’s allowing for multi-disciplinary, hands-on learning with the Scooby Gang!  Did even Jenny Calendar offer that opportunity in her classes? I think not.

2) The Hogwarts Library

Best collection ever, and the books that snap shut on your nose?  Fun to read about, and the fact that the librarian, Madam Pince, never wants anyone handling the books always makes me laugh.  I think she should get a spin-off series.

3) The libe in Library Lion by my friend Michelle (Mikki) Knudsen.

One of those great books where an animal is indispensable.  Plus, kudos to Madam Merriweather, the librarian, who sticks up for her feline friend.  And kudos to Mikki, who wrote this NYTimes best-seller!  (I can’t believe I know a best-seller!  Two, actually, but that’s another story.)

4) New York Public Library as portrayed in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

This is one of my favorite scenes in the movie, although I can’t quite remember why (another involves Holly Golightly sharing one of the few Italian phrases she knows, “I believe you are in league with the butcher!”)  Is this the scene where there’s sneaking?  J’adore sneaking.  And j’adore the fact that Paul (George) Varjak finds a copy of his book at the NYPL.  I need go to the Brooklyn Public Library one of these days and find Nice and Mean.

5) Another New York Public Library, this time in All-of-a-Kind Family

Oh, that scene in chapter one where responsible Sarah forgets her library book!  And the librarian is so nice to them, endeared by them standing in a row at her desk and scratching their legs because Mama’s stockings make them so itchy.  It’s just a great scene.  Plus, the librarian becomes a very important person in their lives…read the book to find out.

Okay, you know, that’s probably enough for now, because I am racking my brains and not coming up with enough, even though I know I am neglecting many!  So I’m excited to have you all chime in on your favorite libraries in books and movies (and hey, if you have a song about libraries, bring it on!)  But I got very swoony while writing this, which I think goes to show that having access to books in a place of learning brings out a primal sort of love , and we should support our libraries!  Don’t forget to comment, my friends!