Going Public

We’re currently digging through archives at my library so that we can put together a special anniversary publication. The exercise has been fascinating. I love going through historical documentation because it’s interesting to get a glimpse of what the library looked like decades ago, and what activities and services were offered. It’s also illuminating to track the values and norms of the times, and how they change (just to give you an example: we had a smoking room at one point).

One of the articles we’re writing is called ‘Growing up in the Library’. The fact is that there are thousands of people who have known this library their entire lives, who cannot imagine life without it. They had it when they were bouncing toddlers and their moms brought them to story time; they came here for all their school projects; they hung out here with their teenaged friends; and they took out books to help them find careers, love, and cars. They now bring their children here and continue the cycle. Even though they aren’t old yet (we’ve only been around for 40 years), we will continue to serve them well when they are. I say ‘here’ and ‘we’, but I could be referring to any public library, anywhere.

The beauty of public libraries (or one of them at least), is that they have offerings for every cycle of life, and people get out of them what they want or need. You can pop in, grab a book and go, or linger, talk to a librarian, sit and relax, attend a program and stay all day if you want. They are pretty flexible as far as institutions go, and mightily democratic.

Unlike schools, public libraries are places that people can pursue personal interests without a curriculum, or homework, or someone watching over them. When I was a kid, I took out the same Halloween book at least twenty times, maybe more. Nobody told me I couldn’t, or that I was wasting time (that’s a lie… My mother had something to say about that particular obsession after the third check-out, but I digress). Kids can find or create their own world at the library, and they are treated as individuals. I like to believe that we are helping them develop their personalities and cultivate their minds. Then we help them maintain it.

I’d be interested in hearing about your library memories if you want to share them. I’ve got to say too that I love what I do. Until next time.