Lilia,

I actually have never had a TikTok before, but BookTok has made me interested and thank you for sharing that. I also love “Dear Stranger” library project and the idea behind it. Penpalling has always been a hobby of mine, and it’s a great way to share information and get to know others.

Hi @catladylilia – I, too, have been feeling very nostalgic and grateful for the library I grew up with in my hometown. I love that you are moving into a more public-facing and engaging space with your advocacy work – you seem very grounded in your purpose from your personal experience. Central Valley communities like Hanford often get left out of statewide conversations about access to services and representation. I love your closer: “Libraries mean hope” – don’t we need all the hope we can get these days?
Beautiful post – thank you for sharing with us all.

Hi @catladylilia. I loved this- I was a child who had a special relationship with my libraries, too. And I’m super inspired by you pushing your boundaries to do this internship! I need to do more of this.

Hello @catladylilia ,

It’s so funny because most of us in this field are introverts, yet most of our positions require us to face and interact with the public regularly. But like you, I do it because of how important libraries and librarians have been to me throughout my life. I was actually watching the Matilda movie the other day and I started to literally bawl. I saw how hard her life was at home and how she felt so alone, and when she discovered the magic of the library it completely changed her life and made her feel less alone. That is exactly how I felt when I first discovered the library. Libraries not only give us the chance to succeed academically, but also mentally by helping us escape and feel like a part of something bigger than ourselves.