This semester I am stepping out of my comfort zone and I am doing an internship with Dr. Chow on Library Advocacy. I am introverted and speaking/ reaching out to people is a daunting thought. But when I stop to think about libraries closing or shortening their hours due to lack of state or local government funding, that thought is more daunting than speaking out. For this first week, I am taking a pause to think about WHY libraries matter and what libraries mean to me.
From what I can remember of my childhood, I had acquaintances and very few friends. I was the quiet kid in the back. I remember first grade and taking a trip to the school library. I remember two of the first books I checked out by myself. I was so proud that I got to CHOOSE what books to read. Rainbow Fish and Stella Luna. Little did I know I would find solace in a corner, on the floor in the library reading books. I would frequent the library to hide the fact that I didn’t have a lot friends. I found a way to escape the instability at home. Books allowed me to imagine worlds outside my own.
I remember in 2nd grade my only friend at the time was at a much higher reading level than I was and my teacher told me I was really behind. That moment ignited a fire in me to go back to the library and check out more books. I remember speaking to the school librarian and asked for help with reading. She told me a secret. Some people read out loud to their pets because speaking out loud is scary. So I brought more books home and stayed outside with my dogs and began reading out loud. As I spoke the words came out with dissonance like a child learning to play an instrument. It was raw. It was shaky. My dog Simba laid by my feet and welcomed every word with love and support. He had no judgement. He enjoyed the company and pets. I started to advance in reading.
My dog Simba
My mom did not speak English well, but the librarians at the public library knew how to speak Spanish. When my mom needed help looking for jobs or books or Christian cassette tapes, we went to the library.
In High School, I did not have regular access to a computer or the internet like much of my friends did. I went to the school library and public library to work on assignments and readings.
Without access to either the school or public libraries I would have not succeeded academically.
Why Libraries Matter:
Libraries have resources available to everyone. They have something for every interest.
Libraries house knowledge, and they encourage curiosity and learning.
What Libraries Mean to me:
Libraries are like beacons of light that are made accessible to everyone. Libraries mean hope.
Kings County Public Library- the one we would frequent (Kings County Public Library, n.d.)
References:
Kings County Public Library. (n.d.) Hanford Branch [Photograph].
https://www.kingscountylibrary.org/branches/hanford-branch