Growing up in San Francisco, I spent many days at the Chinatown Branch Library. The building is located on Powell Street between Washington and Jackson Streets, seen by passengers riding the Cable Cars that travel back and forth every day.
The number one rule when entering the library was to be quiet. No loud talking was permitted. At the back of the library was a separate room for children. It was in this room that I learned to love stories about horses and visit faraway places through the pages of wonderful, magical books on the the shelves. That room was my escape from boredom.
When I became older, I was allowed to venture out to the North Beach Branch Library on Columbus Avenue. This library was down the street from the North Beach Pool, where I learned to swim.
The school library at Marina Junior High was run by Miss Faz. Again, there was absolutely no talking here. Miss Faz was a very strict librarian, and no one dared to utter a word in her presence.
The Marina Branch Library was on Chestnut Street, about a block from Marina Junior High. The first time I tried to check a book out here, the librarian refused to let me check a book out even though I had my San Francisco Library card. She accused me of using someone else’s card, as she did not believe I was the person named on the library card.
My name on my library card was of Irish heritage and I did not look Irish.
I told my father about this incident that night. The next day, my father took me to the library and told the librarian that he was my father and that I was, indeed, the person named on the library card. He then promised to drive his car through the plate glass window of the library if I was not allowed to check out a book in the future. Like it or not, that is how my Irish father resolved conflict in 1966.
In 1968, I had the opportunity to attend the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. This was an exclusive prep school that partnered with several cities throughout the country to allow students without financial means to attend. It was also the first year that females were admitted. After settling in my dorm room, the first place I visited was the campus library. I clearly remember the beautiful Weeping Willow trees surrounding the building.
Every afternoon, I visited the library. It was a joy to view and peruse shelf after shelf of books I had never heard of! The library offered tranquility in a time of our country’s conflict with the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, and the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in April and Robert F. Kennedy in June. There was peace and solitude in the library.
Vickie Linnet (contributed)
The library has always been a necessary destination in my life. I have spent much time in the libraries at the College of San Mateo, Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Bancroft Library at the University of California Berkeley and Oakland Library. When my children came into my life, I took them to the Fortuna Library, Eureka Library, Corning Library, Chico Library, the Medieval Institute Library at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana and Meriam Library at Chico State University. I hope I instilled in my children and now grandchildren the desire and passion to spend time in the library.
I never, in my life imagined that such evil and loss of life would enter the bastion of reading, as was the case on Monday, June 22, 2026 at the Chico Library. Never..
Two innocent men were senselessly murdered and one young girl was injured. All for what? Quick thinking by the library staff and immediate response of the Chico Police Department likely prevented further carnage and loss of life. Why did this happen? Who is to blame? We are left to endure yet another tragedy with no viable solution.
Eleven years ago, a neighbor of mine suddenly died while working at his church for the vacation bible school. He was 34 years old. He left a pregnant wife and seven-year-old daughter. He was a good man. At that time, I asked what is God’s plan?
Again, I ask, what is God’s plan?