How long has it been since you visited your local library?
I’m only asking ’cause I don’t want any of you to miss out on one of the most amazing free offers that are available to us here.
Now I realize that our taxes support the libraries, so it’s not 100% free. But the way I figure it, I’ve already paid for the service with my property taxes, and I don’t have to pay every time I visit; so as far as I’m concerned, it’s free.
Perhaps some of you are remembering the library you visited when you were younger. It was a very quiet place — not much activity.
When I think of the library of my childhood, I think of library card catalogues, the Dewey decimal system, and lots of “shushing” by a librarian who looked like she had been sucking on lemons.
Sorry to generalize like that, but back then librarians were always women, and they never looked like they were enjoying their jobs.
My girlfriends and I would walk to our local library a couple times a month to check out the Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys mysteries. But it was definitely just a quick trip to return or check out the books — never a place to hang out and have fun.
These days, my time at the library pretty much centers around doing research for my “World Gone By” column. And let me tell you, today’s libraries are definitely the place to be — where it’s at — where the action is.
I’m most familiar with the Aberdeen and Hoquiam Timberland libraries, but I’m guessing most of the libraries in our area have similar activities going on.
There’s a children’s area with lots and lots of kid-friendly books, as well as a great play area. One recent Thursday as I was doing my research on the microfilm reader, a couple of moms and their toddlers were busy building block towers and knocking them down. The laughter coming from that side of the room, made my day. They were having so much fun — and no one was telling them to be quiet!
A man was watching episodes of the old “Carol Burnett Show” and chuckling to himself.
Other people were sitting at the computers searching the internet, checking their email, playing games, watching movies.
Mary Thornton, the library manager at Hoquiam, tells me if folks need a little help getting the computer to do what they want it to do, the staff is more than willing to help out with simple problems. And if anyone needs more intensive instruction, all they have to do is talk to the staff about setting up time for a one-on-one lesson on basic or advanced computer skills.
And here’s an interesting fact I learned from the Timberland Regional Libraries website:
“TRL is proud to be an official partner of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, whose mission is to collect, archive, and provide access to personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.
“View video interviews from veterans who served from WWII to present day. Videos are archived in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, visit loc.gov/vets.”
The summer program at the Timberland libraries this year is “A Universe of Stories,” and it runs until Aug. 31. There are activities for all ages — not just kids! — with themes like “Slime Time Camp,” “Escape from AzkaVan,” “Pizza & Paperbacks,” Introduction to Astrology” and “Marshmallow Engineering.” It also includes storytimes for preschoolers, toddlers and families, as well as “Summer Movie Matinees.”
And how’s this for incentive? Sign up for the summer program, and they’ll give you a list of 30 “challenges” to work on. Every time you complete 10 of them, your name will be entered in a drawing to win a gift card. Challenges include a whole range of topics — “Write or sing a song.” “Find a constellation in the night sky.” “Attend a library program.” “Play a board game.”
I’ve already completed four of my challenges, working my way toward that entry into the gift card drawing.
Come join me at the library — it will be great fun!
Karen Barkstrom, The Daily World’s editorial assistant, can be reached at 360-537-3925 or kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com.
