Libraries – How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

We all have places that shaped who we are, and for many of us, the library sits at the top of that list. Even children’s authors have shared their stories with the School Library Journal, reflecting on what libraries mean to them. Before I share their words, I want to share my own reason.

For an overweight, shy girl who was often teased for so many reasons, the library offered refuge.  My self-esteem was low; through books, I could pretend to be the person I aspired to be and maybe even one day actually become. I could completely disappear into the world of a book, leaving the real world behind.  To this day, I remember every library I have ever entered – school libraries, university libraries, neighborhood libraries, and central city libraries, as well as the librarians who were there to feed my imagination. Libraries had such a significant impact on my life that I became a librarian myself.

“I love thee freely. Libraries, you set us free from ignorance, boredom, monotony, and pain. You let us explore, discover, delight, see.” — ANDREA DAVIS PINKNEY

“Wherever I go, no matter what the city, state, or country, when I walk into a library, I’m home.” — LISA YEE

“They are the place we can go to when we need help finding our truth.” — DAVID LEVITHAN

“Reading others’ stories is what gives us perspective and opens our minds to so much possibility. Books are an irreplaceable form of learning, and libraries are just as irreplaceable.” — LEBRON JAMES

“…libraries are safe. They’re a space for both escape and exploration—a refuge from the world, and a doorway into it.” — TAE KELLER

“Librarians have always been my magic carpet to a world of imagination.” — SHARON M DRAPER

“Libraries and librarians are a community’s soul.” KATHLEEN GLASGOW

“The library is the only room in the school where kids get to choose what they learn. It’s a precious place where curiosity is nurtured and passions are discovered.” — ADAM RUBIN

Librarians know that books can change lives, so they become librarians.  These two books exemplify this.

Books by Horseback: A Librarian’s Brave Journey to Deliver Books to Children

Written by Emma Carlson Berne
Illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati
Published by Little Bee Books 2021

During the Great Depression, the government allotted money to hire librarians to deliver books to people living deep in the Appalachian Mountains. These librarians delivered books to places no wagons could reach by riding horses bred to climb the steep hills in that region.  They faced dangerous rides and conditions to ensure their patrons had books to read – books that would make their isolated lives less lonely.  This story is an example of one such librarian.

Tomas and the Library Lady

Written by Pat Mora
Illustrated by Raul Colon
Published by Dragonfly Books, 2000

This story is based on the life of Tomas Rivera, a child from a migrant workers’ family who grew up to become the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. During the summer, his family moved from Texas to Iowa to work in the fields there. Tomas loved his grandfather’s stories but wanted more stories to tell.  When he visited the local library in Iowa, a kind librarian took him under her wing. She found books for Tomas to read about topics he was interested in and then checked them out under her name so he could take them home to share with his family.  The love of reading this librarian kindled in Tomas and put him on a path to success.

Libraries have touched the lives of so many people, each with their own unique story. What’s yours?

Here is a link to the School Library Journal article: https://www.slj.com/story/reasonstolovelibraries/reasons-to-love-libraries-23-notable-authors-and-public-figures-share-their-joy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eve Panzer, MLIS is the Barefoot Librarian and a retired school librarian with decades of experience working with children from pre-K through fifth grade. With a master’s degree in library science from the University of Texas, she brings both professional expertise and a deep passion for children’s literature to every review she writes. Eve has been a trusted voice in the field since 1999, reviewing and curating diverse, high-quality children’s books for schools, libraries, and families. Learn more at : https://barefootlibrarian.com/