International School Library Month

October marks International School Library Month. In a fun tribute to the home of books, we thought we'd look for references to that home, within books!

Here's some of our favourite quotes from characters and authors about why they love libraries.

Two of our favourite literary book fans are Roald Dahl's Matilda and J.K. Rowling's Hermione Granger. They both love to read, to learn, and to visit the library to answer questions and solve problems.

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Hermione's friend and fellow Gryffindor, Ron, says: "Because that's what Hermione does," said Ron, shrugging. "When in doubt, go to the library."

To get away from her bothersome brother and terrible parents, Matilda often escapes to the library to take out a book to lose herself in: "From then on, Matilda would visit the library only once a week in order to take out new books and return the old ones.

"The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village."

Another character who shares this affinity with libraries is Miss Caroline Bingley, from Jane Austen's much-loved Pride and Prejudice; whilst in the drawing room with Miss Bennet, Mr Hurst and Mr Darcy, Caroline boldly states: "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library."

It's not just book characters who have declared their love of libraries, many authors have found inspiration for their own work whilst leafing through the pages of a good library book or two.

Lemony Snicket (known in real life as Daniel Handler), who wrote the A Series of Unfortunate Events series, often speaks about the wonder and awe of the library. He said: "A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them."

English writer, Virginia Woolf, was an avid fan. She said: "I ransack public libraries, and find them full of sunk treasure."

There is a certain magic to a library; when you first enter and walk up and down the aisles, piled high with books from around the world, you surround yourself with literature of every possible genre.

The library is a hub of knowledge and, although the internet has an answer for everything, the library should be considered the go-to place to explore, learn, and expand your mind and imagination.

To celebrate International School Library Month as a family, why not visit your local library and select a book for you each to read? If you need some inspiration check out the Kumon Recommended Reading List.