Rain or shine, we're here

The library is such a dependable place. If you need a quiet place to study, it's usually the first place someone thinks of to go. Yet, you may not think of us as anything other than a serene space filled with a lot of silence. That's great for someone looking for some peaceful solitude, but you might be surprised how versatile a space we have. No longer must you feel intimidated by the almost-sacred silence of library space in days gone by. Rather, we have programs and events that often fill up the space with people and noise (to a reasonable extent), including movie showtimes, family story times, ukulele practicing, sea shanties, kids reading to animals, teen advisory boards, adult book clubs, and so much more.

If you haven't been to a summer reading kickoff, that is a perfect example of the peak of chaos (all for the good of reading) that can inhabit a library. Gone are the stuffy days where librarians were "shushing" and asking for patrons to be quiet. In are the fun, explorative, imaginative days of: trying a new hobby, creating crafts, learning a new skill, meeting new people, having pleasant conversations with neighbors, and expanding your horizons. Libraries are so many things: the community hub, the supporters of knowledge, the safe place, the perpetuators of creativity, and just the general all-around place to go when you don't have a place to go. We love that we can say "rain or shine, we are here for you".

I hear so many people come into the library and say, "I didn't know you (insert something we do/have)!" It is so nice seeing curious minds venture in because they have discovered another avenue to explore. What is more exciting than experiencing something you thought you knew, made "new"? Even if you've never stepped foot in a library, it's never too late. 

Experiencing the library can be so many things all at once, but the main thing is that it acts as a bridge. It connects people to resources they cannot get themselves or never knew existed. It allows people to experience other lives, other places, other worlds. It's a place people can gather in community and communication. The exciting thing is, the library can be whatever the community needs it to be - it isn't a stagnant place where change never happens. If you imagine dusty shelves of books you have to hold like priceless art pieces, think again. Libraries are priceless because of what we offer, not necessarily the price points on the materials.

Libraries have been evolving with the times, but if you haven't been in one you would miss that fact entirely. Librarians have also been evolving, developing and improving on the stereotypical assumption that we will put a stop to most your endeavors, especially if it looks anything like fun. Whatever the reason you haven't seen us in a while, or at all, we invite you to come check us out. We will do our best as stewards of goodwill to help you, and in the very least, give you a place to go.