February is Library Lovers' Month

February is Library Lovers’ Month

By Stacey Anter

Ah yes, February, the only month especially designated for lovers to express their feelings though candy, flowers, poetry, silk nighties, candle-lit dinners, etcetera. Along with St. Valentine’s Day, February is also Black History Month, National Weddings Month, and Relationship Wellness Month, among other things.  But, instead of writing about significant yearly events such as these, I felt the need to step onto my soapbox for a bit and mention another important subject: Library Lovers’ Month.  To quote Judith Rovenger in her December 2003 School Library Journal column, “Libraries are nonprofit institutions created for the public good to store, organize, and provide access to ideas and information in a variety of formats.”  They are naturally democratic, pledging to give, without bias, unlimited access to ideas and information for all people.  Libraries are one of the best examples of freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and to read whatever we please.  In this day where it sometimes seems as if our freedoms are dwindling, due to cowardice and terrorism, the USA Patriot Act and various legislations make holding onto and fighting for our privacy and freedoms even more important than ever before. 

Obviously this subject is close to me, but I am still heartbroken to see evidence that libraries are greatly ignored and enormously underappreciated. Libraries are, in fact, at the heart of every institution and community. School and college libraries provide the skills and resources for their students’ educational pursuits. Public libraries provide enlightenment, entertainment, and a sense of cohesion to their communities. Whenever there are budget cuts, libraries are usually close to the top of the list, yet it is constantly said that community education and personal enlightenment are included in the characteristics of a good successful citizen. 

I ask you to think of how your local library has affected you in a positive way. Think of a fond memory or experience you’ve had at your library. For example, I have heard stories like how someone’s child was once a non-reader, but when a nurturing librarian lead the child to books on subjects of great interest, that child’s reading habits changed and he is now an ‘A’ student. As a kid, I always looked forward to Thursdays when the public library bookmobile would be in the area and naturally I always found something to occupy my curiosities. As a matter of fact, this is where I found my first adult level mystery that forever hooked me on Sue Grafton, which led me to read other such authors.

Libraries help children, teens, and adults alike become life-long learners, whether through computer classes, book discussion groups, library programming, or literacy assistance. For as long as libraries have been around, they have existed to educate, enlighten and entertain their communities.  When people have questions to answer or research to conduct they go to their local libraries. Let your legislators and your local library know that your library has contributed to your life in some way, and that it should be supported for the good of our great state.  Even in tough times, libraries are there for the public, assisting patrons with resources for various reasons like one-on-one computer instruction, typing and printing resumes, filing online unemployment claims, and more.

We have DVDs, CDs, e-books, audio-books, fiction and non-fiction bestsellers and so much more. Come in and find out what we have; who knows, we may surprise you. On an old episode of Frasier, the radio psychiatrist must come up with a jingle to start the show. After overdoing it with a big orchestral composition, Frasier comes up with this little diddy, and it definitely sums up libraries for me, “If you’ve got a problem, if you’re feeling low, looking for some answers, things you need to know, all you have to do is ask….All you have to do is ask… (triangle sounds).”   

While you are showing your love for the important people in your life, don’t forget to show your library how precious it is as well.  To find your local library, go to http://www.olis.ri.gov/libraries/libwebs.php or browse the catalog.  You can also, check out this website for inspiration and information on ‘How to Love Your Library’:  http://www.librarysupport.net/librarylovers/  There are plenty of ways to show your love for libraries: Donate your old books or even a brand new book, or in that case, donate a Kindle or Nook e-reader or an iPad;  buy a magazine subscription for your local library; volunteer your time or make a monetary donation; help with fundraising events; get involved with a Friends Group; advocate for your local library at local government meetings. To get in the mood, perhaps you can watch some movies with libraries and librarians. My personal favorite is Desk Set with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.  So, don’t be shy! Show some Library Love!  

I call myself the Library Detective because I can find the answers to any question you can think of, or at least I can point you in the right direction.  To find out more about libraries and librarians, visit your local library; there are more Library Detectives there, too.