Along with spring showers, April brought National Library week, and it put me in mind to ponder libraries and their intrinsic worth. It’s hard to imagine living in a world without public libraries, but truly free (non-fee, non-subscription based, government funded) ones did not exist for American citizens until the first was established in Peterborough, New Hampshire in 1833. My home state of North Carolina took even longer to have this invaluable resource made available. The first free, tax-supported public library in our state was founded in the city of Durham in 1898. By 1920, still only 32% of North Carolinians had ready access to a public library. Our own local public library, Shepard-Pruden Memorial saw its inception in 1922. Thanks to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” initiative, that percentage rose to 85% by 1942. Then, President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1956 Library Services Act extended that coverage to the remainder of the state’s more rural areas. Thank goodness!
In addition to continuing to loan us free copies of outstanding fiction and nonfiction books—as well as access to magazines, newspapers, and reference resources—libraries have grown and evolved to meet the challenges and needs of our tech-centric society. There are audio-books, DVD films, free internet connection, and open access to computers. Libraries help people file their taxes, research their family genealogy and local history. They open their doors to special-interest groups, book clubs, senior citizen services, and preschool story time. The list goes on…
And then, there are the people. Library People. Kindred spirits who give of their time and talent to help us, no matter how challenging or trivial, our requests. During the Covid pandemic when libraries were forced to temporarily shut their doors (oh, that was depressing!) to help keep us well, they donned their masks and gloves and met us at the curb with ordered books to help us survive that awful time.
“Library People” extends to library patrons, as well. We are folks who recognize the unique service our libraries provide and acknowledge that comradery when we smile and nod at one another along the library’s aisles of offerings. We know a good thing when we see it. This was demonstrated in the tenderest fashion, recently, while I was standing at the checkout desk and visiting with the staff at our wonderful, local public library, Shepard-Pruden Memorial in Edenton, North Carolina. A lovely young woman with her rosy-cheeked daughter, neither of whom I had ever met, approached the counter. The little girl—perhaps four or five years old and wearing a bike helmet—turned to me and held up a freshly plucked, sunny yellow dandelion blossom. “For you,” she said. As I accepted her gift, I was struck with her fresh-faced, open spirit—freely giving with no expectation of reward. A true Library Person. An embodiment of the library, itself.
My Acrostic Ode to Libraries
They Liberate our minds and creative spirits,
Inspire us to learn and grow,
Bravely face challenges of the modern world while preserving the worth of the past,
Respect all those who enter–regardless of education or social status—
as they Accept us for who we are—whatever our political leanings or lack, thereof—
Recognize the diverse offerings of the world,
Illuminate hidden corners of wonder and knowledge,
Energize our hearts,
and provide Sanctuary for our restless thoughts and scattered energies.
With eternal gratitude,
Kathryn Louise Wood—a proud and thankful Library Person since childhood.