Our Library Stories

In the United States we take a lot of things for granted. Why? Simply because we've had advantages for so long, we begin to expect that they will always be there. I heard that funding for our libraries is being cut, and that libraries are being closed down. This caused me to consider what my voice in the matter is. "What is MY library story?" My library story is about knowledge and community. I can share a beginning to the story, but will the end come much too soon? Will the library in my area be closed down, requiring me to look for other means of gathering information for my schooling; other locales for our community to gather?For as long as i can remember, I've been a regular visitor to the public library. I've always been an avid reader, and the library was a place I could go to expand my mental horizons. Getting my first library card was such a big, important thing for me. Being a card member taught me many things, like being responsible for the care and return of the books, learning how to behave appropriately in quiet surroundings, and even how to use the library systems. In later years, the library has become a place I can go to get information for my extended education. Yes, I am a returning adult student to the world of academics! The library system has changed somewhat since I was a child, but idea of the public library is still the same. This has always been a place where a member of the community can go to get information. I've been able to do research for papers, check out videos for projects, and buy used books. I still have much more schooling to complete and plan to keep going to the library, what would I do if it were not there?Recently, the library became another source of delight for me. I had been looking for a meeting location for our non profit women's group to meet; I looked for weeks. I'd placed calls to many churches and local facilities. Many were not open to our group meeting at their locations, and many, the rents were just too expensive for our small, weekly meeting to sustain. My local library was the answer! They have allowed us to meet at their facility for free! This will allow our small women's group to grow, and eventually become strong enough to pay rent at another place. The public library provides the community with many different services, many more than I have included here. When I think of my library being closed, I think of these many different ways it serves our community. I think of the children who will be robbed the joy of checking out books, of educations that will hindered, and of fellowships that might never have a chance to grow. I think of other countries who don't have public libraries. I think that we, the United States, will be taking a huge step backwards if we allow this to happen. I said that my library story was about knowledge and community, well it's also about unity. The people must be united so that they can be heard - get involved. What is YOUR library story?

Trish Camacho
Avid Reader, Returning Adult Student