More About Why Libraries Are Great
Posted in Libraries, Uncategorized on 03/25/2010 11:02 am by jess 
[I am on hold with American Airlines. Perfect opportunity to update the blog!]
[Note once again: if you comment on this or any post, I will donate $1 to my local, recently flooded library! I've got something like 20 comments so far--I hope you'll take me up to my goal of $40!]
So I’m participating in the Library-Loving Blog Challenge, started by fellow Tenner Jennifer Hubbard. I talked in an earlier post about how libraries are helpful to me, but now I’d like to talk about how librarians are helpful to the community. (Sorry if I sound a little like a game-show host. Blame the hold music.)
One of my part-time gigs is working at an after-school program housed in a Louisville library. The librarians have enough to do keeping up circulation and helping people use the computers, but they’re always extra friendly and helpful to our program. One of them volunteered to come and do story hour with us once a month (yes! 20 minutes I’m not in charge of!), and the other is On Top Of It when it comes to making sure the space-sharing goes smoothly. Another group has been in there before ours recently, and she routinely comes down to ensure that the transition is going as scheduled. She doesn’t have to do this–there’s a steep flight of stairs involved–but she always does.
Before I took this job, I never realized the extent to which libraries aren’t just book houses and computer stations, but community centers as well. The local hospital comes by to provide free health checks and information in the lobby. AARP runs tax consultation sessions. And hello–we’re there with our elementary-schoolers who take forever in the bathroom! There are probably a million other partnering organizations I’m not aware of because I’m only there a few hours a week.
In and among all this, the librarians I work with always make me laugh and help me feel welcome. So thank you, Miss S and Miss R (I will spell out your names if you give me permission next week), for providing such a resource to our entire community. And please note that I do my best to get those kids out of the bathroom!
03/25/2010 at 12:04 pm
As a fundraiser for the Denver Public Library, let me say that this is AWESOME! Thank you for loving your Library! And thank you for noticing and shouting out that libraries are not just “book houses!” Libraries provided necessary services for people of all ages and stages of life. If you haven’t been to your local Library lately, give it a try! (a great way to save $$ too!)
And they definitely need your funds! I don’t know if Louisville is the same, but Denver’s public library is partially funded by the City, but those funds only keep the doors open and (most of) the staff employed. Special services, outreach and programming and a percentage of the collection budget are all dependent on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundation.
SO BRAVA! Keep singing the song, sister!!!
03/25/2010 at 12:47 pm
Hooray for library loving! You’re highlighting my favorite thing about libraries – they really do help create better communities. Good for you for supporting your local library.
03/25/2010 at 1:16 pm
Thanks, Laura and Brenda! Brenda–I didn’t know you were a library fund-raiser out in Denver. Very cool!
03/27/2010 at 11:45 am
Libraries also provide crucial services for people looking for jobs who don’t have a computer in their house – I think one of their greatest strengths is the sheer variety of things they provide to different communities.