Another Gem

Last week, I went to the Indiana State Library to do 

a bit of research. While I've been there before, 

I've never been beyond the contemporary addition. 

Attractive on the outside, its limestone exterior does contrast 

with that of the original building, but not so much 

that it's offensive to the eye.

The contrast between the interiors of each section 

is what I found most startling. The older building is

a homage to books, learning, and history,

with frescoes on the ceilings, murals, and stained glass.

It is ironic really, given that the state politicians at the

Capitol Building, are doing their damnedest to tear down 

the public education system in favor 

of corporate run schools. Already, the names of artists,

inventors, and writers incised in the library's walls

are mere afterthoughts; the state preaches the need for

an educated workforce, but instead seeks to create

a population of menials, an underpaid workforce that

will end up fighting over resources.

The light fixtures look like sheaves of corn,

taking reference from a Native American shown in

one of the stained glass windows, holding stalks of corn. 

Whether he is the base of the picture, 

holding up the images of the states founders,

or being trampled into submission by

William Henry Harrison and General 

"Mad Anthony" Wayne is a matter of viewpoint.

There are murals at each side of the main entrance 

to the old building, which leads one to 

the BEST PART - the card catalog! Yay!

There they were, rows and rows

of stacked, tiny drawers, mounted along

the long wall. A place of honor.

The picture below shows only about a third

of the drawers in this hall.

I used a smaller catalog in another

department of the library. The habits learned

in childhood quickly returned and I was

able to use the system almost intuitively.

I loved the feel of the little file cards.

They were almost velvety to hand and it was 

as though I was greeting old friends.