Random thoughts about libraries…

A Random Tribute to the Public Library

I have a library board meeting this afternoon which got me thinking about how much I love our public libraries. Where else can you go and hang out indoors for free? Okay. I guess you can sit on a bench in the mall (do they even have benches anymore?) But the library is a little treasure of American life that is often overlooked. So here are my random thoughts:

Random #1

When my dad settled us, after years of nomadic military life, in a smallish town in Kentucky I fell in love with our downtown library. It was a one mile walk from our house down past the loveliest old homes. 

Or I could take a left turn out of our drive and walk a little bit longer past other older homes and go through the small downtown. A right turn on Broadway would offer a view of some small professional offices and then there I was, climbing the steps and entering the book lined rooms. 

By the time I was allowed to walk by myself there, I was in the youth fiction area. As the years progressed, I read every Victoria Holt novel and Agatha Christie mystery offered. Sometimes multiple times. For fun, I would take the monthly issue of Paris Match and practice my French, feeling all sophisticated. 

I loved the atmosphere and charm. Honestly, I miss the old card catalogs, rubber date stamp and sturdy wood tables and chairs of bygone days.

Random #2

As a young mother who decided to stay home, the library became a weekly stop.

Story hours and checking out fifteen books a week was something I looked forward to. When we were transferred to another town for a short stint with ADM, I tearfully hugged and said my goodbyes to the staff of women who had mentored me over the years. They were one of my first stops when, six months later and nine months pregnant, we were transferred back. 

I still see those ladies sometimes and they are like old friends to me. One has passed and I miss thinking I will run into her. They still remember our kids names and ask how they are. Our kids remember them as well. Such a treasure. 

Random #3

Russ loves a visit to the library as much as I do. We have even stopped in libraries on our travels. Sometimes we have picked up a good book or two from their withdrawn book sale racks. When we were in Maine last year, Russ finished the book he bought. We were delighted to find a good one about the Seine River at the Bar Harbor Public Library and purchased for a small donation. It fueled his interest in our trip to France this year.

On days when the weather is unpleasant and we have time to kill waiting for the grands to be picked up or between games, the library is a place we know we can go. Russ may read the paper, or a book he is taken along. I may have a book or my knitting. One of us may have a coffee in her thermos. 

When we visited John one time he wanted us to see the library in Austin. It is quite impressive. They even had some fun games that we could take to a table and play. You can go to any library in any city and use the resources or just take up space. They are always clean and safe and well staffed.

Random #4

I know our library has a Facebook page and a newsletter, along with an easy to use website. There are so many great programs for children and adults, again usually free or just a materials charge. 

They even have little craft projects for kids and adults throughout the year and guessing type games for prizes. The above photo is a “pumpkin spice hot chocolate bomb” that the library was giving out for October.

Well, actually it is one I made off the recipe they gave me when I found out they had run out and someone didn’t get to have her take home. It mysteriously disappeared and she requested I get another one. The librarian was so sweet and gave me a copy of the directions.

The three libraries we visit regularly include two in Bloomington and one here in our town. All three have coloring pages, puzzles, games and play areas that our grands love. It is a great place to go on a rainy day. 

Rachel has even been able to borrow STEM boxes with fun activities for the kids to use.

Random #5

While I tend to mark up books, I have found that there are many I am okay to read and not own. 

The library is a great place to check out (no pun intended) a book before you decide if you will want to purchase. If they don’t have a copy in the facility, they can usually request from another library. 

Our library offers Roku sticks, videos for children and adults, newspapers and an assortment of magazines. You can use a computer if you need one and there are more services, but you need to just visit and see for yourself. 

The quiet space of a library with just enough extra activity on the perimeter is a great place for someone like me to work. It offers a kind of white noise atmosphere. I can take my own coffee in a thermos and camp out at a table or on a couch in a corner and it’s not considered odd or rude. Starbucks frowns on me taking my own mug in…understandably.

So there you have some good reasons to add libraries as places to visit and spend time. Have a good day. And no, I am not paid for my endorsement of libraries but I am sure our director would be proud of me <3