Kieran’s notes from the back room :
I was reading the blog “I Love Libraries” the other day. It featured a story from a man who volunteers at his library and why. Now, most of us have fond memories of our hometown public library, and some of us can recall stories of how a library or librarian touched our life in a profound and meaningful way. His was quite something. He wrote : “When I was a kid, I had a strong interest in art. While I was browsing around the art book section of the East Akron Branch of the Akron Public Library, I saw a drawing book that I really liked. So I decided to sneak it out of the library. As I was going out the door, I got caught. The librarian took me to the office and asked me why I wanted to steal the book. And of course I gave the usual intelligent 10 year old response: “I don’t know!! But instead of calling the cops, she said, “Why do you want to steal it, when it’s your book anyway?” She told me, “All the books in the library are yours, we just store them for you. Don’t you have a library card?” I shook my head. So she said, “Well ok, let’s get you one.” After she signed me up for a library card, she checked the book out to me. I was proud of my new library card, and it really made me feel important. From that day on, she would help me find other art books. Looking back on that now – although it seems like such a small thing – I really feel it was a life changing event. Today, I’m an artist and musician (jazz drummer & Irish guitarist) and I do volunteer work, teaching a guitar workshop, for the Barberton Public Library.” Got a story to tell about how the library changed your life? Tell me about it! Seriously! Email it or bring it in (I am the guy in the back room). I would love to hear your library story. You can even tell me in person …or just stop by and say, ‘Hi’.
