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Gratitude for the Public Library

Reader Contribution by Mary Conley
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Do you frequent your local public library? We continually visited ours when we had our four young children, and started again a few years ago. After giving away most of our personal library, we decided to start borrowing books instead of buying them. Of course, the library had really evolved in the meantime, adding many computers and a wide selection of books on tape, computer games, music and movies. We have come to rely on the convenience of going on the web from home, requesting a book or movie to be held for us to pick up or put on a waiting list. Then we get the handy email notices that a book is in or that one may soon be overdue.

Who in our generation would ever have dreamed that we would be able to go online and download a whole book or books from the library onto our personal gadgets? I know there are times when those of us who are technologically challenged have words about our inability to use some of these up-to-date devices and helps, but oh how convenient they can be when we forge ahead and learn to use them. What an exciting time to be alive!

Norton, Kansas, Public Library

We are now at our Nebraska farm for the summer, and cross the border into Kansas about once a week to run errands and have lunch in Norton. High on our stopping list is their beautiful public library. Besides loading up with books since we don’t have TV or Internet, I take my iPad and use the free wifi while Larry gets on one of the computers to catch up on sports, check the weather forecast for the week (which is usually wrong), and gather other information he may need. We’ve become acquainted with Rosalie, a lovely woman who works there, and discovered she lived on the farm adjacent to ours when she was a young girl. Such a small world. She has become my Facebook friend as well. Whenever I think of Norton’s library, I get a feeling of familiarity. Homey like. Just what I need out here.

“The Bronco Buster” by Frederic Remington at the Norton, Kansas, Public Library

If you haven’t been to a library for a while, stop in and you’ll notice people of all ages busy at computers or choosing something to check out. You’ll discover you are witnessing something your tax dollars are paying for, along with the generosity of donors, that is worthwhile! It will be a “feel good” experience. Maybe you’ll even start using it yourself!

“The Mountain Man” by Frederic Remington at the Norton, Kansas, Public Library