The Portal

This is my memory of the first time I entered the old library in Grand Ronde, OR. Hope you like it (please review, this is the first item I've listed and I'd like opinions).

THE PORTAL

         I step up to the old building with the sign above the door with big, white letters saying, "THE BANK OF GRAND RONDE."
         I have been longing to go here but have not had a chance until now. I have walked 3 miles in the summer heat to come here and my pilgrimage to the old library is complete.
         I linger a moment longer before walking through the door, the "portal of knowledge and adventure." I feel a surge of excitement rush through me. The shelves are full of old books, new books, big books, and small books. Many are yellowing and have bent covers. And all of them have the unmistakable smell of old paper, dust, and cobwebs. These books will take me to many new places. To new worlds. They'll allow me to be new people. To feel new feelings and to experience new things. I'm in book lover's paradise!
         I walk past three rows of shelves to the desk where a little old lady is waiting to assist me in any way possible. She politely explains the library's rules and tells me where the different genres are.
         I go to the shelf in front of the desk, the sci-fi section, and thumb through the books which are overflowing the shelf. The classic H. G. Wells book War of the Worlds jumps out at me, "Read me, earthling," it says.
         I now look around the rest of the library. Westerns, romance, thrillers, religious, how-to, fiction, nonfiction and more adorn the shelves. In the room behind the desk are numerous children books; and, on the top shelf, are books dating back to 1890. Shakespeare, Homer, and the rest.
         Next to the sci-fi section is a table with books for sale and a box of free ones. Between the sci-fi shelf and the front desk is a whole shelf of free magazines. Boxes of National Geographic dating back to the 50s abound throughout. And next to the desk is a small cast iron wood stove which the librarian periodically fills with wood split by her husband.
         After I finish, I go to the desk to receive my number. I say good-bye and step back through the portal. The portal of knowledge and adventure.

THE END