Few more hours and 2017 will bid adieu to 2016. Time for new resolutions and new dreams. I believe one of the finest blessings of our existence is the ability to read and gain knowledge. To me books are my most precious companion, powerful solace and my true delight. I always exchange my vacant, intellectual and blank solitudes with books and only books (though nowadays with my kindle – thanks to the technology)!! Today I decided to take my readers to a paradise where the most precious treasure is knowledge. Come and explore with me the main library of Princeton University (also called the Firestone Library) – an abode of books.
Books are my most precious companion, powerful solace and my true delight. Click To Tweet
The Library of Princeton University
Before entering inside the library, I came across a tranquil place, just opposite to the library entrance, where one can sit on the bench and can spend hours thinking about the quotation engraved on the ground. I am no exception and preserved the silence of that place inside me.
Siddhartha, my better half, who is an alumnus of Princeton University
How happy is he born and taught That serveth not another’s will; Whose armour is his honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill.
by Sir H.Wotton
The quotation engraved on the ground
The main library hall
I must thank Siddhartha, my friend, and husband, who is an alumnus of Princeton University and because of whom I got a chance to enter the library and realized, how a paradise would look like! On entering the main library hall, I noticed the inspiring sentence written on a wooden plank.
This hall leading to the endless opportunities and challenges residing in books, is the joint gift of seven classes.
I must say, the main library hall has something in it. The attraction of the silent hall knew no bounds. The countless books, the smell of old wooden furniture and the serious students researching and reading books, all united to create an atmosphere which is very hard to leave. Lucky were those students who were sitting amidst the greatest treasures of this mortal world and had no hurry to catch the train to New York!!
Main Hall of the Princeton Library.
Other floors
When I went to the other floors, my only feeling was to sit on a quiet table and start reading. The most memorable place which will inspire me silently forever. I would love to share with my readers, the quotation by Gilbert Highet which has always inspired me and remained one among my favorites!
These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves. From each of them goes out its own voice and is just as the touch of a button on our set will fill the room with music, so by taking down one of these volumes and opening it, one can call into range the voice of a man far distant in time and space, and hear him speaking to us, mind to mind, heart to heart .
Another floor of the library
Books
I have seen books in Chinese, Russian, French and even in Bengali (my mother tongue). The library has millions of books and also possesses some very old books (more than two hundred years old!), neatly preserved in the shelves. All the floors have the lovely smell of books.
Indeed, it is a heaven for those who seek knowledge.
It was late autumn and was cold. When I reached Princeton University, I was greeted by the vibrant fall colors.
Similar articles from Travel Realizations
- Fall Foliage in Princeton University Campus
- The Library of Strahov Monastery in Prague, Czech Republic – One of the world’s most beautiful libraries!
- The national library of Denmark and Copenhagen university – Black Diamond, one among the world’s five most beautiful libraries
- The EPFL library in Lausanne, Switzerland – A revolutionary architecture!
Get my latest articles in your inbox and join 10,000+ other subscribers!
If you enjoyed reading this article, spread the love!
Pin It!
HitchHikers Handbook
Fascinating blog, Chirasree! Thanks for connecting with us on Google+! Keep up the great work and travel safe!
Dana
What a beautiful place—and such wonderful quotes! Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best.
Plowing Through Life (Martha)
The most precious treasure truly is knowledge! What a great place to visit. Thanks for the lovely tour. Happy New Year!
Travel Realizations
Hi Martha,
I can't thank you enough for all your feedback! I still remember the morning when I saw, you have joined my site in my blog. You were my first reader and I became the reader of your blogs ever since. I wish you too a lovely year ahead, full of fun and happiness.
Pradip Saha
The year is going to end, and you ended your Blogging Journey for the year with a visit in a Library,a store house of knowledge.Let the God may bless you for acquiring more and more subtle knowledge which will ultimately instill into your readers.Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year'14.With Best Wishes and Many Many Thanks.Be Happy and always Be Happy.
Travel Realizations
My blogging journey would not have become fulfilling without you, without my readers !! Thank you so much for your wishes and I wish you too a happy, healthy, prosperous and meaningful 2014. I can't thank you enough for your inspiration and encouragement.
Tapesh Mukherjee
Hello Chirasree I am fortunate enough to be associated with your Blogs where I am getting some flavour of places where normally tourist rarely visit but the great place one must see like Princeton University ..
Travel Realizations
The selection of places are vastly based on my aspirations to know more !! For the visit to the Princeton university, I am grateful to my husband Siddhartha, who is an alumnus of the university. This post is mainly on the Library of the university and I will write more about the university as a whole. Thank you so much for your support – it boosts me to continue writing.