Libraries: Spaces of Possibility

Libraries are important to writers for many reasons–they house books that remind writers of their goals and potential, and they carry other research materials–but they're also incredibly storied places, both in real life and on the page. In the world of fiction, it's not difficult to think of works that feature libraries or use libraries as the setting (Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian and Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose are a couple of titles that spring to mind). There are also examples of famous writers who've worked as librarians at some point, such as Beverly Cleary and Madeleine L'Engle.

Libraries are welcoming spaces of possibility for everyone. You might come to the library with the intention of checking out a certain book or finding a particular article, and you'll likely find what you're looking for, but you also might discover something new and unexpected, like a workshop or event to add to your calendar. The possibilities are endless.

For writers, walking through the stacks, browsing the titles, and reading different genres can spark their creativity and original thoughts. This vibrant atmosphere is important not only to writers, but to anyone with a flare for curiosity. 

The upcoming RPL Writers' Festival on March 9 promises to be an exciting day for anyone who is curious about what the library can offer. The discussions will bring together writers from different stages in their careers and from different parts of the world, all in the hopes to create unexpected and varied conversations. We'll also reflect on how our home geography, the prairies, influence our writing.

Share your writing with a captivated audience with an open mic at the end of the event. Whether you're an aspiring, emerging, or established writer, you'll find something for you at the RPL Writers' Festival.

Holly Luhning, Writer in Residence