Library Magic
There’s something magical about libraries. Whether it’s being surrounded by so many books or being in the company of others who are of the bookworm persuasion or maybe it’s all of the childhood memories they evoke–whatever the case may be, I think of the library as my happy place.
As a child, I spent countless hours in my small hometown’s library, reading The Babysitter’s Club, The Borrowers series, and Sweet Valley Twins/High in old bean bag chairs in the library basement. In middle school, my best friend and I would go to the library to sneak read passages of Howard Stern’s Private Parts (We were such rebels!). As I grew older, I kept reading, but I forgot about the public library for a while. I went to college and then grad school, so I always used school libraries. Shortly after grad school, I started working at the local library in my new city. How had I forgotten that such places existed?!
National Library Week
This week is the American Library Association’s National Library Week. The theme this year is “Libraries Lead.” I couldn’t agree more. Where else can you find tax forms, therapy dogs, knitting circles, books, magazines, puzzles, DVDs, audiobooks, museum passes, author events, information guides, and study spaces all for free?
An Invaluable Resource
The public library offers invaluable support for creative writers. Writers need to read, but most writers probably lack an unlimited book budget. Enter your local public library! I haven’t had as much time lately to sit down and finish a book (See listing, half-finished pile on my nightstand…), so I’ve been using a library app, Libby, to listen to audiobooks (I’m sure I’ve talked about this app before, but seriously, it’s free, and it’s so easy to use and link to your library card!). You can use the app for reading ebooks too, but I tend to prefer a physical book if I’m going to read rather than listen. I mentioned previously that I would keep you updated on my progress in my 2018 reading challenge. Here’s what I’ve read so far: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (paperback), Into the Water by Paula Hawkins (audio), The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (audio), and White Tears by Hari Kunzru (audio). I’m currently listening to the audiobooks of The Opposite of Loneliness by by Marina Keegan and Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moïra Fowley-Doyle. As you can see, I wouldn’t have read much at all this year if it weren’t for audiobooks, and by extension, this app I use through my local library!
So Much to Love
Why else do I love the public library? I noted that it was a helpful resource if you can’t afford to buy every last book you want, but for many people it’s the only way they have access to books, the internet, and the help of expert researchers (Hello, librarians! Your job is often thankless, but we love you so). There’s something lovely about a public space that lets anyone in to seek knowledge.
The library also has turned into an even more important place for me now that I’m a mother. I take my son to story time, where he learns about books and new letters, and gets to make a fun craft. Every year I sign him up for the summer reading program, which gets him even more excited about books and early literacy skills.
If you haven’t been to your local library in a while, I encourage you to go scope it out. They likely will have updated a lot about it, but don’t worry: that old book smell will still be there.
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