Skip to content

Library Quote by Ray Bradbury

“Up steps, three, six, nine, twelve! Slap! Their palms hit the library door. * * * They opened the door and stepped in. They stopped. The library deeps lay waiting for them. Out in the world, not much happened. But here in the special night, a land bricked with paper and leather, anything might…” quote by Ray Bradbury
Download Open image
““Up steps, three, six, nine, twelve! Slap! Their palms hit the library door. * * * They opened the door and stepped in. They stopped. The library deeps lay waiting for them. Out in the world, not much happened. But here in the special night, a land bricked with paper and leather, anything might happen, always did. Listen! and you heard ten thousand people screaming so high only dogs feathered their ears. A million folk ran toting cannons, sharpening guillotines; Chinese, four abreast marched on forever. Invisible, silent, yes, but Jim and Will had the gift of ears and noses as well as the gift of tongues. This was a factory of spices from far countries. Here alien deserts slumbered. Up front was the desk where the nice old lady, Miss Watriss, purple-stamped your books, but down off away were Tibet and Antarctica, the Congo. There went Miss Wills, the other librarian, through Outer Mongolia, calmly toting fragments of Peiping and Yokohama and the Celebes.””

Ray Bradbury

About This Quote

Source Short Story: “The Library” from The Illustrated Man, 1953

A fantastical library becomes a portal to endless worlds, showing imagination can turn ordinary places into adventures.

In simple terms: Imagination turns ordinary places into adventures.

Key Takeaway

Embrace curiosity and explore beyond the familiar.

Themes

imagination exploration knowledge adventure fantasy

Mood

wonderful inquisitive dreamy

Type

literary inspirational fantastical

When to use this quote

  • reading
  • travel
  • creative writing
  • museum visits
  • educational workshops

Key Concepts

worldbuilding metaphor cultural mosaic

Questions to Reflect On

  • What ordinary place could become a portal for you?
  • How does imagination reshape reality?
A Different Perspective

The vivid description may overwhelm readers seeking concrete meaning.

3.3 out of 5 (10 ratings)

More by Ray Bradbury

Explore all 1,522 Ray Bradbury quotes

More Library quotes

Browse all 2,696 Library quotes