Why I LOVE the Library

Ever since I can remember, I’ve not only loved to read, but I’ve also been a fan of the library. Since I grew up in a suburb of Detroit, I could have multiple library cards for the various cities. It was special to go to the libraries, especially what seemed like the “bigger” ones in the area. A close friend of mine actually is a librarian at one of those. Unfortunately, she is disheartened because of the financial issues the city, and therefore the library, is facing. In Kalamazoo, however, it appears to be a different story.

I have continued the regular use of the public libraries as an adult, and I have a card at Kalamazoo and a (reciprocal) one in Portage. I used to have several others until I stopped visiting the libraries and the cards expired. Even when I lived out in Gobles, I had a card through the Van Buren District Library, which covered the local city one.

As the facilitator of a book club, I find it important to make sure that book choices are available at one, if not both, of the mentioned libraries in the area. I also look for books on audio, which is a preference or necessity by some of the members. In this case, I am visiting at least once a month for a new book club book. Usually I am reading multiple books in a month, and visit more often than that.

Several years ago I learned how to utilize the library’s local resource room. It is fascinating what one can dig up, whether for genealogy research, or local history. The seating is a nice and wide area, allowing space to work. Sometimes I sit there with a different project, just because.

A music service I discovered that has been useful is FreeGal. I can download up to three song selections each week. Although they don’t have every artist available, the songs that I do find are MINE TO KEEP! I have added many that I don’t necessarily want to buy or that I did buy as a CD and adding a download was an easy way to include it on my music player (which is my phone). I can use it through Kalamazoo only, so having a reciprocal card in Portage does not matter. It has to be your home city’s library.

Since I am working on what I hope to have as a non-profit business, a free library program called ONEplace is available. They offer classes and other resources specific to non-profits. The few classes I have attended have been a great experience, both for learning information and meeting new people. It is challenging enough to start any type of business, and a non-profit has additional work that for profit businesses do not. It is nice to know there is support to learn how to best handle the situations.

The beginning of the month was the introduction of a brand new area to the library that I am super excited about! It is called “The Hub.” They have computer stations set up with equipment to be able to copy items to a digital format, and another set of computers to create productions. Today I fully used the allotted two hours to copy old movies and one project from VHS to digital. Most of the movies were originally Super 8mm converted to the VHS. You can also copy pictures, negatives, slides, audio cassettes and vinyl LPs. Did I mention I was super excited? Right now they are only open a couple of days a week, and users are allowed two hours a day. I missed out on my other two hours earlier this week and have started planning for next week’s. I literally could have stayed there all day and would have been quite happy about it. I cannot wait to try the production part!

Overall, a library has consistently offered me something of value my whole life. I am glad the ones where I live continue to have new ideas. Even for the basics of reading books, I can own less stuff yet receive the same value. If I decide I need the book on my shelf, it is still not as expensive as buying everything. Besides books and what was mentioned here, I can also check out music and movies and even e-books. Really, what’s NOT to love?

Thanks for reading (and commenting/liking!)

Stacy