I so love our little village. We are village people. When we moved two years ago we gave up privacy for community. Being in ”the village” seemed to be a sacrifice but it has proved a wonderful blessing. The preschool and elementary school are within a block as is a wonderful Center for the Arts where we volunteer, take classes, perform, and attend performances and lectures (most for free!). The other schools are all within a mile, very nice to walk or bike to in decent weather. On Main Street just 5 houses away Scouts mets at the American Legion, we have a bakery/cafe/bookstore, banks, post office, and village hall all just a matter of a short walk away. The village green with gazebo hosts concerts and community events, free ice rink, children’s activities in the summer, and is just a great place to walk or play. The school playgrounds are close enough we don’t miss having our own equipment in the back yard.
All of this is tremendous (not to mention with a much smaller lot we have reduced yard work and property taxes) but I think one of our favorite places of all (perhaps tied with Center for the Arts) is the Library.
Different libraries feel differently to me. I have been in some where I felt like an unwelcomed intruder. Our library is not like that at all, quite the opposite. The director and most of the librarians know most of my family by name and what types of books each likes. We are personally invited to participate in book clubs, lectures, performances, etc. It is a place where we all feel warm and welcomed. Quiet is not the highest goal in this dear place, but love of learning. Last fall two of my children asked if it would be okay of they could go directly to the library after school to do their homework before coming home. Wow.
It also has wonderful online resources where we can search, request, and renew things. I was able to set it up so I get emails when any of our family has something coming due. No more late fees! They are part if a large system so even though our library itself is not huge, we have access to an incredible wealth of resources.
We love our library. I encourage you to check out your local library and if it is not what you want it to be, then get involved to create change. Libraries are a wonderful blessing in this country. Check yours out today.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:16 am
We use our library ALL the time. Jack goes to a reading group once a week for the last couple of months. They read a story or two, do a craft, get a name tag and all for $5 for a 7 week course. DEAL! Heather loved “The Work and the Glory” series, her mom gave her the 1st book, she wanted all nine, but being broke, I told her to check them out. Ever since she has developed a passion for reading. She read all nine then all nine “Prelude to Glory” books then “The Kingdom and the Crown” trilogy. All from the Library. The kids love the Berenstein Bears books. Anywho. We’re in with the library. I keep forgetting to get books on CD to listen to in my car.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Glad to hear your family takes advantage!
Books on tape/CD have changed our long car trips to from tedious to pleasurable. Sometimes we’ll get to our destination and the kids won’t want to get out (”Drive around the block!”) This last trip we listened to The Hobbit, excellent book to listen to. Other family favorites to listen to have been Dragon Rider, Inkheart series, Tale of Despereaux, Circle of Magic series, and Harry potter CD’s are checked out perpetually from the library by our MonkeyGirl who loves to listen while she does sewing and crafts. FairyGirl is enjoying listening to The Lord of the Rings now in addition to reading it, it is a different experience. Listening to the language just a treat.
CDs are so expensive to buy but with the library we always have great things to listen to. Our library also does digital downloads of many books for free, some you can burn to CD or MPS players. Yeah for libraries!!! Yeah for books!!!