One of my goals in life is to have my own personal library. I want a vast collection of books that spans every genre and topic. My library will have its own storage system that categorizes every book. Books will be organized by genre and subdivided on the shelves in alphabetical order by author. While all the books will be part of my personal collection, I want to constantly be giving and or trading books with people. I also think it would be really fun to create a legitimate library card system where people can always access the library if they sign up for a VonEschen library membership. 

Stepping into the library: I want a grand space where one can’t help but pause and crank their neck in every direction to take in all the books looking down at them. I want the smell of the library to be unique. Smells of woodfire, old books, and whatever candle was last burning. There are large windows looking out into trees or over a lake. During the day, the chairs next to these windows are the best spots to post up and sit down for hours with a book. 

Oh, you need some help finding a book? Ah, the one way up high? Let me just climb up my staircase and slide on over on the rails to grab it. I could spend hours just whipping around on the ladder rail system practicing locating books as fast as possible. The collection will grow and grow and my infrastructure to dramatically display the books will grow with them.

There will also be a secret section. Privy only to those who are in the know. I will have a secret code exchange that must be uttered perfectly to gain access. From there, we will calmly walk over to a corner of the library where I will reach out for a book. This book will be hollowed out with a key hidden inside. A key that only works for a small lock hidden in the wall directly behind the previously occupied book space. I will look. Over my shoulder to make sure no one is watching and then insert the key, turning it slowly. The whole shelf seemingly exhale is it releases and swings open on a slow, creaking hinge. We step inside and close the door behind us. 

Inside this secret space looks like something out of a blackmarket jeweler. Glass cases are everywhere and the temperature is surprisingly cool. But instead of jewelry, the glass cases display books. This is where I will keep my most prized books of my collection. We are talking first edition Count of Monte Cristo, a signed copy of The Hobbit, and every other extra-interesting document I can get my hands on. This room will be temperature controlled and sealed to ensure maximum book longevity and health. My own little mini-museum.

A dream for now. But hopefully reality someday.