Dear Library, how do I love you? Let me counts the ways. I love the multitude of books found on your shelves. There is something for me to read, no matter what my interest is. I love the peace and quite found inside your walls. You are a refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life. I love the services you provide to make my community a better place. Children can come to reading hour. Adults can receive literacy training. Everyone can check out a movie, a book, a music, or even an ebook. All you need is that magical thing called a library card.
February is National Library Lovers’ Month. Since I love libraries, and I love any reason to celebrate, I’ve come up with 5 ways to celebrate this month. If you’re a fellow library lover, please try any or all of these things. If you’re not a library lover, you need to get yourself to the library…now! You’re going to love it. It’s a wonderful place and there is something just for you there.
Visit Your Local Library
Hopefully, you’re lucky enough to have a library in your city. Do you know where it is? Have you been there lately? Your local library has so much to offer. I live in a county with an amazing library system. My local branch has internet access and plenty of computers, a fantastic children’s section, various story times and children’s programs, a dedicated area for teen readers, a designated study/quiet room, and volumes and volumes of books on nearly any subject. And if it’s not at my local branch, I can have it delivered from one of the other branches in the system.
If you don’t have a library close by, check to see if there is a Bookmobile program. Often libraries will have a small selection of books available in this sort of traveling library. If there isn’t even a book mobile, maybe it’s time to start asking for a library for your community.
Become a Volunteer
Currently, two of my three children volunteer at a library (one at school and one in town). Perhaps it’s because I have taken them to the library since before they could walk or talk. My kids love the library. As a former reading teacher, nothing makes me happier than seeing kids in love with books. I also love going to the library and running into former students there.
Volunteering makes our communities better. It can also teach the volunteer important skills. My kids’ reading interests have broadened and grown because of their time in the library. working in the library not only exposes you to books, but also computers, organizational systems, and people. It’s a great place to meet fellow book lovers.
Libraries are almost always short of funding and are usually happy to have extra hands around. Ask at your local library about volunteering. they’ll be glad to have you help. Volunteers can do a variety of jobs. Sometimes it’s as simple as shelving books or even dusting shelves. Maybe you have a skill that you could share with others such as running a literacy group, tutoring, computer skills, or helping run other programs.
Join a Library Support Group
Many libraries have groups dedicated to raising extra funding. My library has a group called “Friends of the Library.” They run used books sales to help fund library programs. They also raise money through membership dues and donations, and provide other volunteer services. Our library wouldn’t be able to do nearly so much without them. See if your community has such a group. If not, maybe it’s time to start one.
Donate to Your Local Library
In addition to giving your time to the library, remember it is often in need of financial support as well. There are many ways to donate financially to your library. Many donations are tax-deductible. Most libraries have some sort of endowment or memorial program. you could also consider donating magazine subscriptions or books. Check with you library to see what is most needed.
Attend a Celebration
Check to see how your library is marking this month’s celebrations. A quick search on Google listed opportunities all around the U.S. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any on my library’s website, but maybe you’ll be luckier than me. Some of the activities I found at other libraries include: community art projects, musical performances, a pancake breakfast fundraiser, gift basket fundraisers, valentine crafts, film showings, and many other events.
Happy Library Lovers’ Month to all you book and library lovers out there. My life would so much less without my local library. I’m sure you could say the same.
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