Never Underestimate the Power of a Girl With a Book...
hey hey, it's National Library Week ❤️
Happy National Library Week!
I love the library. It is a huge part of my existence. Even if I have a stack of books on my bedside table, I can barely ever pass my two little town libraries without stopping. Just to browse. Just to look. Just to tell myself: hurry up and finish and then you can get THAT ONE.
In this way, I have turned into my mother.
Nearly every Saturday morning, while growing up amongst the corn in Omaha, Nebraska, my mother would take us to the library after we had completed our “Saturday chores” (I know how to scrub a kitchen floor, I do.) Let us look fondly on the various stages of my reading life: Frog and Toad picture books, Amelia Bedelia chapter books, Beverly Clearly’s Ramona, Judy Blume, Sweet Valley High. There was the Marilyn Monroe phase, the Lindbergh kidnapping phase, the devouring of Agatha Christie.
I viewed books and reading as my mother’s preferred activity over nearly all else - even eating! It still is (other than the grandchildren!) She could - and can - read faster than anyone I know. She prioritized books without guilt; my memories of coming home from school always wind back to finding her laying down for a “rest” with a book (and a Hershey’s candy bar with almonds wrapper).
After the Saturday morning library visit, we would each get to pick out a package of day-old, barely-stale chocolate covered Hostess donuts from Old Home Bakery, and which I would devour before we’d even gotten home. All the while reading my books in the backseat of our lovely army-green station wagon without seat belts.
I still love libraries, with or without the accompanying day-old donuts. I still associate books and libraries with great pleasure.
There was not a lot of extra money growing up, but libraries were free, and so they were a cherished form of endless entertainment: stacks of borrowed books, summer reading programs, free museum passes, crafts, movie nights, a weekly series of strange animated plays starring Shelly Long.
With five kids in eight years, I have no doubt that libraries saved my mother’s sanity. I can confidently echo the same.
My mother could be impatient with my lack of knowledge. At age 11 or 15 (or now, ha), I remember saying, “How would I know that?” and she would exclaim, “because you READ!”
Reading became synonymous with you can know and learn anything if you will READ. I began to assume that there was never an excuse for not knowing anything - because if there were libraries, I could find out.
Reading was knowledge, and knowledge armed you with power. My mother helped me believe that I was capable because I could read and if I could read, I could learn anything. And if I could learn, I could do. And if I could do, I would never be powerless.
She so wholeheartedly believed in this (still does!)
"Never underestimate the power of a girl with a book." -Ruth Bader
Of all the many gifts my mother gave me, the love of reading remains among the most cherished.
I appreciate libraries more than ever. It’s quite astonishing that nearly every town and city across America has a place where anyone, regardless of race, gender, religion, or age, can walk in and get their own library card. And then nearly anyone can walk out with a stack of books - for FREE!
And isn’t it equally amazing, that the librarians TRUST that we will come back with those same books (er, most of the time. My librarians have been so gracious and forgiving over the lost and damaged/dog-chewed books…they still welcome us back. bonus: our town doesn’t even have late fees!).
Oh yes, I love them so.
Because they are free and easily accessible, libraries are one of the very few equalizers in our world. They are essential for democracy. I’ve seen news of late, of public interest groups interfering with librarians doing their jobs or even attempting to defund the library. I hope this remains the anomaly.
For libraries to thrive in a free, democratic society, there must be trust between patrons, volunteers, board members, and librarians. No library system should be micro-managed or beholden to any political agenda or group…that scenario is terrifying.
I suppose I have known a few cranky librarians in my time, but this was long ago. Now, they are my besties. They bring authors and speakers to town. They host book clubs, summer reading programs, give away puzzles, post necessary town information, and have free wi-fi. They will happily show you how to reserve and renew books online. If my library doesn’t have a book, the librarian (shout out to Lee and Makaela!) will actually order it or request an interlibrary loan - it’s almost like they want us to READ!
I marvel at their knowledge, dedication, love of children, helpfulness, and enthusiasm for BOOKS - books that serve and represent the majority, and the minority.
How to help your library:
Get a library card and start borrowing
Volunteer (story hour, programming, sorting, cleaning, carrying)
Attend town meetings and vote to support the library budget
Help keep the library neutral and free from political division
THANK YOU, librarians, and all who volunteer to help keep our libraries open, free, and welcoming to all. Long live the library ❤️
More on libraries from the American Library Association Here! (Kelly Yang is serving as the honorary chair of National Library Week for 2023. I love her Front Desk series based on her immigration story of coming to America with no English, and how libraries were so crucial to her).
p.s. Do you borrow books from Hoopla? I’m not a huge audiobook gal, but I am listening to two books right now: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick (thanks, Naomi!)
Amy
Independent Bookstore Day!
This week ends with Saturday, April 29th being “Independent Bookstore Day” - a good day to show your local library some love.
And hey, if you’re just not sure what to purchase - here’s a shameless plug…The McNifficents is available for pre-order! If you purchase at either Gibson’s or Morgan Hill (my local bookstores), you’ll get a signed book, bookmark, AND a watercolor story map painting (don’t worry if you’ve already purchased, we can still get you one!)
Not sure you want that book? You do! :) Publisher’s Weekly gave it this review two days ago.
An excerpt (full review in link above):
“Makechnie invites readers into a sometimes frenetic household that’s frequently suffused with love and laughs. Humor abounds in quirky details—avian creatures named after Downton Abbey characters, Tenny’s formal inner dialogue and love of the film Mary Poppins—while the siblings’ bickering, teasing, and supportive interactions ring true.” -Publisher’s Weekly
The Everyday…
Today, Gregor and I are leaving for Cope and Kaden’s college graduation. The two youngest are staying home together. I asked them to make a schedule:
And…if you’re local, check out Morgan Hill Bookstore where Brynne is stocking eighteen more original 5x7 watercolor cards this week (just in time for Mother’s Day!) I’m kindof so proud.
Good News and Story Links:
CRAFT TALK: How wearing a “uniform” can help you make your art
Rewatching: Every night, we watch an episode of Merlin on Netflix. It’s so fun. Many thoughts on story and craft…
Reading: A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year!
