Happy Library Lovers Month to one and all! Every day is a good day to appreciate our public library, but this month in particular is all about showing our library some love. You might remember that last year our incredible patrons helped us to create a beautiful paper heart made up with the things they loved about the library. Some wrote that they loved our programs, others loved our massive DVD collection, and some patrons even gave our hardworking staff a few shout-outs (right back at ya!).
This year, we wanted to show you what we love about the Levittown Public Library. You may have already noticed on our Facebook page photos of staff members showcasing what they love about the library. Amy loves the Round Room in the Teen Area, Stacey is loving our new Eatery, Dipti loves our DVD collection, and Joe loves our Innovation Station. Keep checking our Facebook page to see what else our staff loves–you might even be surprised to discover something new about the library! Feel free to share what YOU love about the library through social media and add #I<3LPL or #LibraryLoversMonth.
Don’t worry, though: the heart is back! This time around, we hope you’ll grab a paper heart and write down your favorite book character (mine’s Amelia Bedelia) to add to our bigger, community-made heart. The hearts are across from our new DVDs in the old video window (raise your hand if you remember checking out VHS tapes from our little video window!).
These are all fun ways to participate, but really the best way to show your love is to support us. Come to our programs, get a library card if you live in the district, check out our materials, and use our databases. The more you show up, the more relevant we remain and the more the state will see how necessary we are to the community. Read this Book Riot article if you want to get a better idea of how you can show your love and support us on a more regular basis.
I love talking about libraries. I could could talk about libraries for hours, but I would much rather leave you here and get back to doing the work that helps make our library a place you love. So rather than ramble on, here are some thoughts on why we should love libraries from writers much more skilled but just as passionate as I am:
Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.
― Ray Bradbury
Libraries are community treasure chests, loaded with a wealth of information available to everyone equally, and the key to that treasure chest is the library card. I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.
–Laura Bush
I always imagined that Paradise would be a kind of library.
–Jorge Luis Borges, translated from Spanish
A library is a place that is a repository of information and gives every citizen equal access to it. That includes health information. And mental health information. It’s a community space. It’s a place of safety, a haven from the world.
–Neil Gaiman* (Neil Gaiman is so spectacularly eloquent on this subject, so just go ahead and read the entire speech from which this quote was taken).
Happy Reading,
Jess