Happy National Library Week!

It's National Library Week!

I'm hoping that everyone goes out to visit their public library this week.

 If you don't have a card, please get one.

And then check out a handful (or more) of books or other items.

Attend a program while you're there - check out the newsletter for all the details.

Both having a card and checking out items really helps your library grow. We use those statistics to ask for more money for books. We can't get more money for books if the circulation is decreasing (and we're on a nation wide decreasing trend). 

Did you know:

Libraries offer tons of programs all year round, but especially in the summer.

Libraries often have discounted tickets to local museums that you can check out.
We work with community organizations to help support the town/city

We are not places of quiet

We have tons of programs for people of ALL ages, not just story times.

We have a variety of programs to match the community: game clubs, food programs, local history, and so much more.

We're NOT just about books but of course we like books.

If you haven't been to your local library in a while, this week is the perfect time to stop in and say hello!

Because of a Public Library...

This idea is making the rounds on Twitter, but I have SO many thoughts, that I wanted to write up a blog post instead.

Castleton Free Library - my hometown library where everything started for me 

So...because of a public library I

1. Took armfuls of books home in middle school and high school, especially in the summer. I was always a reader and the library was right across the street from my house.

2. Got my first job that I loved thanks to the library and a grant. I worked there for four summers learning so much about libraries.

3. I decided to go to graduate school and get my MLS

4. While in graduate school, I often went to the library near my apartment. I checked out the teen section and found a book called The Princess Diaries - after reading it, I decided to become a YA Librarian

5. I got my first job in a library in Rhode Island as the first YA Librarian there

6. I read tons of books - more so than I ever did in a year.

7. I was on a committee for the Rhode Island Teen Book Award - where I read outside of my comfort zone and talked passionately about the books I loved and hated with other librarians.

8. I moved libraries in my job to the brand new library in my town again as the first YA Librarian where I collaborated with co-workers in programs and presentations

9. I started this blog and have been blogging for over 5 years - because of it, I've been lots of readers, librarians, authors, and publishers. We talked about - books of course.

10. I read over 300 books a year across ages and genres. If I had to buy those books, it wouldn't be nearly as much.