The library had always been your most favorite place in the world as a child. It still is, mind you, just with a little less shine and sparkle. Back then, you thought you could spend a whole night in the library and never run out of secret places to explore. All of those books. All of those stories and adventures that were just waiting for someone to experience. 

Now? Now it is just a place for you to come and enjoy yourself with no expectations. 

A coffee shop has an unsaid contract where its patrons must be doing something productive; writing a novel, reading a novel, having emotionally charged conversations with friends in a public area. A bookstore feels sacred. You can’t properly relax because you’re too busy fully appreciating all of the new talent on the shelves and rediscovering your favorite childhood authors. A library though, a library is like home. You can walk hours amongst its shelves and feel zero pressure to do anything else. You can just sit and read with no judging stares or disapproving glares. 

The library is freedom. 

And you appreciate that.