Give & Take: Reading Up and Giving Back

Growing up, I was a huge bookworm. So much so that from ages 8-13, I molded my personality around the varying pieces I read. Attempting to find missing neighborhood pets to be like mystery solver Nancy Drew, describing things as “Cornflower Blue” (when they were in fact not that shade) because of The Tale of Despereaux and even having a phase of saying “whilst” instead of “while” because I read that that’s how they say it across the pond, and it fit in perfectly with my blooming One Direction era. I was a walking thesaurus for better or for worse. But more important than those silly memories is the home away from home that I gained at this time – my local library.

If you don’t enjoy reading, no need to fret – there’s still something for you at your nearby library. Back then, you could find me playing Webkinz or making a playlist for a new CD on a library computer, sitting in a  quiet room to study my way into college and eventually using those same rooms to write essays for my college classes. And today, you can find me taking classes at the library for random skills like salsa dancing or resume writing. Sometimes, on a colder workday, I’ll even pop in for my lunch hour for some peace and quiet. All this for free – and I’d like to make sure it can stay that way for everyone.

Because everything is free at the library, it can be easy to forget how great these resources are, until they’re threatened to be removed. When a library budget is cut, everyone is affected by it. Odd opening hours (including no weekends), less classes available or newer books being unavailable. The first thought that comes to mind when you hear of a library’s funding being cut is that you need to donate money. Though this is always helpful, something as simple as getting a library card and actually using it can be a great help as well – it shows your local representatives that the library really is important to the community.

If you’d like to go beyond using your card, some libraries do need in-person help. Outside of lifting some of their workload, you’ll get the opportunity to meet others in your area. If you’re in Prosek’s CT or DC offices, you can provide technology support for patrons or be a computer instructor. Bostonians with creative flair can become a volunteer Art & Architecture Tour Guide, and in LA you can tutor in math or English. If drastic help is needed, your library may place a petition to the city for a budget expansion like NYPL had (which worked!).

In conclusion…in summary…to finalize, your local library is more than a place that houses books. It can be a hang out spot, game center or your third space. The best way to see how your local library can help you is to explore it – you’d be surprised by what it offers. After you become enchanted, make sure to give back and look into how you can make sure these resources are around for everyone to use.