The Smell of Libraries

If it is true that a smell brings back a memory more than any other sense, then a library is a place that can bring back many memories. This blast from the past isn't necessarily because there are many smells in a library; it's because there are many things associated with the smell of books.

A certain smell brings back a memory of a certain activity that happened when a similar or the same smell was smelt. I'm not referring to someone saying, "That smells like strawberries." The subject is more related to a comment like this. "That smell takes me back to the day when I picked strawberries at my grandma's house." A lot of things that we learn in life come from reading books. Books have a smell. When a lot of books are stored together in one place, they seem to share the same smell. Try going to a library with used books (not a book store packed with freshly printed books) and smell if you recognize the scent. It may take you back to the novel you recently finished. You may remember a childhood picture book that you loved. Or, you may remember the never-ending researching from your college days. Either way, you are most likely going remember being in a library.

Libraries are one example of smelling your way to the past. Another thought is using smells to help you remember things. For example, if you have a big test coming up, burn a peppermint scented candle while you study. Then when you take the test, have some peppermint oil handy or chew peppermint gum. Who knows? It might work.