BIBLIOTECAS

Mais um sítio em risco. Melhor dizendo, mais sítios em risco. Por vontade de alguns, nem existiriam. Falo das bibliotecas, esses sítios absolutamente fantásticos onde passei parte da minha vida. Claro está que prefiro as bibliotecas silenciosas às outras. As de investigação, aquelas sisudas e onde se ouve o passar do tempo, acima de todas as outras. Agora frequento-as quase nunca. Um dia voltarei, decerto. Enquanto esse dia não chega, aqui deixo duas referências no feminino (dantes, só havia bibliotecárias...): Vieira da Silva e Julia Donaldson.

Everyone is welcome to walk through the door.
It really doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor.
There are books in boxes and books on shelves.
They’re free for  you  to borrow, so help yourselves.

Come and meet your heroes, old and new,
From William the Conqueror to Winnie the Pooh.
You can look into the Mirror or read The Times,
Or bring along a toddler to chant some rhymes.

The librarian’s a friend who loves to lend,
So see if there’s a book that she can recommend.
Read that book, and if you’re bitten
You can borrow all the other ones the author’s written.

Are you into battles or biography?
Are you keen on gerbils or geography?
Gardening or ghosts? Sharks or science fiction?
There’s something here for everyone, whatever your addiction.

There are students revising, deep in concentration,
And school kids doing projects, finding inspiration.
Over in the corner there’s a table with seating,
So come along and join in the Book Club meeting.

Yes, come to the library! Browse and borrow,
And help make sure it’ll still be here tomorrow.