The college library was a high beautiful space, designed and built and paid for by people who believed that those who sat at the long tables before open books-even those who were hung-over, sleepy, resentful, and uncomprehending-should have space above them, panels of dark gleaming wood around them, high windows bordered with Latin admonitions, through which to look at the sky. For a few years before they went into schoolteaching or business or began to rear children, they should have that. And now it was my turn and I should have it too.
The college library is portrayed as a majestic and inspirational space, crafted by those who valued the experience of learning. It is a sanctuary for students, who, despite their varying states of fatigue or discontent, are afforded an environment that uplifts them. This space is designed not just for immediate academic pursuits but as a nurturing ground for intellect and growth, allowing students a moment of respite to absorb knowledge and look up to the sky, reflecting on their futures.
The narrator expresses a deep appreciation for this space, recognizing it as a unique opportunity before embarking on the paths of adulthood, like teaching or starting families. It serves as a reminder that every student deserves access to such a liberating environment. The library becomes a personal refuge for the narrator, symbolizing a rite of passage where they too can embrace the privilege of education and contemplation in a beautifully crafted setting.
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