Last week was Library Appreciation Week. I only posted one thing about it, but I think I post often enough so everybody knows where I stand on libraries.

In case you recently crawled out from under a lettuce leaf, know that I LOVE them.

I don’t know that I can adequately put into words what the library means to me. But I’m gonna try my best. Even though I’m more than a week late. I’m always late. And before I forget, that cover pic was taken by Liz Ballard, who truly has a history with our local library. I didn’t ask for permission, but I don’t think she’ll mind.

I have served on the local library board for several years now, and it looks like I’m going off next month to serve on the Regional Board.

Anyway, that’s the least of my love. QUITE literally. Board meetings are typically endured, not always enjoyed. Even though they try to make it cool. Here’s our meeting room:

But that’s part of adulting. The good news is, it allows me to know what events are coming up before anybody else 😀 I have a lifespan of memories at the library. It brought tears to my eyes when I was asked to serve. My mind flashed back to all the times I’d walked through the door, clutching my satchel, ready to return the fifteen and borrow my next bunch. My hair in a french braid so it wouldn’t get in my eyes as I made my selections. I still remember the old libraries, and how they grew. The one in my hometown started out as a camper in the parking lot of Third National Bank, parking there only one day a week. I would beg Mom to drive me to the “big” one in Sevierville that had more books and were open every day. My school library couldn’t keep up. That’s where I got my bubble burst, too. After I abandoned my veterinary career dream, I decided I wanted to be a librarian for obvious reasons. My primary school librarian had the audacity to tell me she didn’t get to actually read all the books. I think tears of disappointment mixed with sorrow fell from my eyes.

I attended “Library Camp” which I know as the Summer Reading Program now. It’s a major undertaking that drives every volunteer and worker to their knees with fatigue by the end of every day. Back then I remember making little beaches inside seashells and lots of crafty projects involving glue and glitter. I remember Judy Godfrey helping me. I remember being read to. These are just MY memories. I know y’all have plenty as well.

I can’t even tell you all the awesome things our library provides. Just yesterday I learned that they have a vinyl decal machine. I could have saved six dollars and made my own sea turtle sticker instead of ordering it. They have a 3-D printer where you can make whistles and bracelets and once…a prosthetic nose. They have a green screen and you can record a commercial. This is all on the third floor in the maker space. They have conference rooms and computers that you can use for free. They have crafty classes all the time and make cutting boards and wreaths and wine cork art. They have writers come for book signings and speeches, lots of local speakers who talk about everything from planting by the signs to forensic pathology, and artists who’ll teach you how to paint with a twist. I’m just getting started, y’all. They rent daypacks for adventures in the woods, lots of DVDs, and have genealogists on hand to help you trace back your family’s roots. There’s a bookstore, too, in case you need a quick gift or just want to own your own copy of a favorite book. There’s a little cafe tucked in the corner, and Chess Club, and Bingo Club, and of course, a book club for everyone.

I hear those book clubs are how some people make lifelong friends.

Anyway, what I’m trying to stress to you is that libraries are important. They run on a shoestring budget-those librarians are THRIFTY! They write grants to petition big businesses to give us money to buy those 3-D printers and scanners to replace microfiche machines. They beg and plead with local government to give raises to their employees, and get more employees so they can have more programs or stay open longer hours or so branch locations can be open on Saturdays. They try to give the people what they want, I promise you that. They encourage the public to make commissioners aware of how much you use the library. Through donations of local people and organizations, they are able to provide “snack time” for afterschool children, and let me tell you, there are stories there that will positively break your heart. They are constantly having fundraisers- yard sales, bake sales, drives for mittens and scarves and coats, and my favorite- Night at The Library!

They have a Teen Group that visits the nursing homes and they go caroling and they have lock-ins. Did I mention the “Movies at the Commons”? They run a classic movie once a month in the summer under the stars! How cool is that? I think they even provide water and popcorn. There’s always art on exhibit to enjoy and purchase (I’m currently saving for the painting below).

They have little lending libraries scattered in remote locations around the county, too, and you don’t have to worry about returning those in a timely fashion. And hey, didja know you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to use the library? In Tennessee, we have this awesome online ebook source called R.E.A.D.S. It’s simple! You just log on with your local library card number, set up an account, surf through their ebooks and audiobooks and check out and download. Super easy! And what about those of you who don’t have internet? And can’t get to the library enough to use their free WiFi? Well, they also let you borrow hotspots. That’s right. Take one of those gadgets home and Viola! You’re on the grid. Don’t know how to use a computer if you did have the WiFi? Well, they have computer classes, too. And tax assistance. And a lawyer once a month who does free thirty minute sessions. I’m beginning to think if the library ain’t got it, you don’t need it.

I could go on and on, but while all these things are nice, none of it would happen without the people. It takes a passel of caring individuals for any of these things to happen. It starts with a good director. They have to know who is best in which position. The director has to be approachable, because any job dealing with the public is a demanding, exhausting one. And you have to be able to talk about your challenges with someone who has been there and knows the best way to handle it. There will be children who come to you for hugs and advice, because there’s no one at home to help them. The employees of the library have to have the patience of a saint. Every employee. They have to refrain from rolling their eyes when a patron asks for a book they read as a child and all they can remember is that it was about a frog and the cover was orange. Or maybe it was blue…

There are Legos to pick up and books to reshelve and tears to wipe. There are little dramas every day, and cheese to slice and decorations to pack away. There is help to give, every time you turn around. And they all pitch in. It takes a village to raise a child, and I hope and pray that you use the library as an integral part of your village. There’s hardly a better environment. Stimulation is only apart of it. Here you will witness people interacting, and sharing, and loving something that is there for everybody. Here you can find acceptance, no matter what you think is the weirdest part of yourself. If you ask me, there’s hardly anything more comforting than being in the midst of thousands of books, and also among people who love them. If I ever get married again, I’ll do it there.

Lord, I’m here with head bowed to pray for the best institution in my existence and the people who run it efficiently. They don’t have much money, but they have heart and soul and help more people in an eight hour day than any church I’ve ever set foot in. Why is it the people who have the least help the most? I thank you for all the people who make this happen, from generous donors to the volunteers who sacrifice time to make others days a little better. I thank you for the workers. They will never be paid their weight in gold, but I want them to know without a doubt they are appreciated and noticed. They are making a difference in people’s lives and will never be forgotten. I still have my memories of my favorite librarians, even though I have new favorites today. I pray that you encourage them, Lord, and lift them up when they find it so hard to keep going. They never know what will await them that day. I pray for the children as well. I pray that as they grow in knowledge, they grow in love, and that they never forget how the library made them feel. I hope that they will grow up and give freely to the institution that helped them thrive and become successful. I pray for the troubled ones, too, the ones who are coming from a difficult home life and the only solace they find is at the library. I especially pray for these children, that they know they are loved and accepted and special in their own way. That they know the library is the very safest place. I pray for the trustees that serve with me in the running of the library. May our decisions always be led by who we can help the most and how to enrich lives and dreams. May we spread good news always, and be advocates and encouragers of this establishment. May the government let the funds flow freely, and step back to let the directors know how to spend it. They are the front lines, they know the needs of their county. Thank you especially for blessing our county with the best director ever, who has a heart bursting with love for her career, who believes she makes a difference, who can give the right answer every time. Thank you for all the people who open the doors and let everybody enter- no questions asked. Please protect them, Lord. They only have their hearts. They are only there to do good. May their love of books grow, and they always have time to read them so as to be able to recommend to those seeking assistance. Thank you for our gift of sight, our compassion, and all the teachers and librarians through the years who have patiently taught us how to sound out and spell and READ. In Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.

With all my love from Appalachia,

Amy xoxo