Finding a world of pure imagination

CHASING THE MUSE

A circling pair of juvenile red-tailed hawks turns my attention

skyward as I walk. There is so much to see and hear and learn about

here in the cool morning in Wood Canyon. My muse calls me elsewhere

today, though, and my feet hurry onward to get me home.

A quick shower washes the smell of sage from my nostrils though

not my mind and, before I know it, I am out the door again, on my way

to a different kind of adventure. On this gorgeous day in April, with

a part of me longing to be soaking up sun and sky and birds and

wildflowers, I find myself on a journey to spend some time with art

and books.

Anticipation rises as we circle, looking at street addresses. With

good instincts, Cathy makes a quick turn and then another and there

it is -- Cerritos Public Library. Parking is a snap, with no fees to

pay, and we walk back up the long drive.

Before even reaching the doors, a whimsical fountain and pond

filled with Koi catches our attention. Colorful stone sculptured

Amaryllis with gnarled roots mingle with other sculptures -- an

over-sized turtle, a large fish, and more.

Hearing exuberant child’s laughter, we turn toward it. By the

library entrance is one of those playful water fountains where, at

varying intervals, water shoots up out of holes. A young father, with

his 3-year-old son on his shoulders, weaves his way around the holes

like a Sunday afternoon fullback. The boy emits shrieks of laughter

as the water jets up at them.

Reluctant to leave such unabashed joy, Cathy and I finally turn to

go into the library. The first thing we see as our eyes adjust to the

light is a giant saltwater aquarium wall filled with colorful fish.

Next to this is the entrance to the children’s section of the

library. We move toward it, wide-eyed. The light in this area is low,

perhaps dimmed. Surprised at this, I look toward the ceiling. This is

a large canopy of green leaves extending out over the space,

emanating from a massive concrete trunk. I am drawn to fondle the

knot holes and soft turns of this beautiful replica. It is almost

like being back in this morning’s canyon.

The children’s section alone is filled with many wonders. There’s

the planetary room with the solar system on display overhead. Stan,

the giant dinosaur T. Rex, stands in the center of the room. There is

so much more than books here. But the books! There are books for all

ages of children and even some for adults in this section. They cover

so many areas of knowledge. I could just stay in here all day. But I

came for the art. Where’s the art?

A walk back past the aquarium, where a knowledgeable docent is

answering the eager questions of a group of teenagers, leads us back

into the main library.

Three other main areas are on this first floor, comprising a mix

of architectural design. There is a young adult section, modern in

decor. A large room, complete with fireplace and dark wood paneling,

brings to mind the comfortable libraries of fine old houses, and

holds a selection of “new and popular” works of fiction as well as

the classics. A third area is entirely built and decorated befitting

the Craftsman era, right down to lighting and lettering and

Mission-style furnishings.

On the second floor, the art works capture my eye and my

imagination. From the twisted glass work of Dale Chihuly to the

futuristic gold panel display of Lita Albuquerque or from the

colorful precision acrylic of Al Held to the painting made without

paint or brush of Peter Hopkins, I am struck dumb with sensory

overload. Wandering the edges of this vast, open floor, looking at

the art and the display cases filled with evidence of our rapid

technological advance over the past fifty years, I am filled with the

wonder of it all.

It is said that to get people to use libraries and to love them,

you must first get them inside. The titanium-clad Cerritos Library

starts this process outside, and it never lets up throughout the

88,500 square feet of inside space. Thrilled by what this library is

and titillated by what a library can be, we leave after just two

hours here. We are energized, replete, with spirits and minds

uplifted. We didn’t even get to explore the books, though I had

lovingly run my hands over the spines of a few, longing to dive in

and learn from them. Another time.

The Cerritos Library is at 18025 Bloomfield Ave. in Cerritos. The

telephone number is (562) 916-1350

* CHERRIL DOTY is a creative living coach, writer, artist, and

walker who lives and works in Laguna Beach. Contact her by e-mail at

emmagine8@aol.com or by phone at 251-3993. Your comments are

appreciated.