With my recent residency at the Louisville Free Public Library, I’ve been thinking a lot about libraries and the role they’ve played throughout my life. Their purpose has evolved for me over the years, but they’ve remained a constant point of connection, learning, and community. Lately, I’ve realized that my relationship with the library has somehow come full circle.
When I was younger, the library mostly existed as an academic space in my mind. It was where I studied, researched, and focused on school assignments. But over time, I realized it offered much more than access to information. It also provided a space where I could simply exist comfortably.
I have a lot of fond memories of sitting in the library with friends, watching movies on the computers, listening to music, or just spending time in a quiet, clean environment. What stood out to me even then was how accessible the space felt. There was no expectation to spend money or justify being there. If I wanted somewhere to hang out, I could go to the library. Looking back, I think that accessibility shaped how I understood public space and community care. The library felt like a genuine investment in people.
That feeling has stayed with me as I’ve gotten older. During college, I spent four years working in the archives at my university library, learning archival practices and spending time in the stacks. The library became not only a place of study, but also a place tied to my professional and creative development.
I also love how libraries have remained a constant presence no matter where I’ve gone. On road trips, they’re often the place I stop to rest for a little while. Everywhere I’ve lived, there’s been a library nearby. There’s something really meaningful to me about the idea that communities across so many places have collectively decided that public access to knowledge, resources, and space matters.
Now, especially through this recent residency, I feel like I’ve come back to the library from a completely different perspective. Earlier in my life, I was someone benefiting from the space. Now I’ve had the opportunity to contribute back through programming and community events. From sharing Lion dancing to teaching painting workshops, I’ve been able to bring experiences into the space that feel personal to me, while also hopefully making those experiences accessible to others. There’s something really rewarding about realizing that a place which invested so much into me has now allowed me to reinvest back into the community in my own way.
I suppose this is both a reflection and a small love letter to libraries. I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate in this residency, but I’m also grateful for the ways libraries continue to evolve alongside the people who use them. Access to spaces centered around education, curiosity, creativity, and rest feels increasingly important, and it’s something I value more every year.
Yours truly,
Makara