Libraries

Libraries. "I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card." These are the words of former librarian and former First Lady Laura Bush. There is a lot of truth in these words. It is easy to equate wealth with monetary value. However, if you begin to study about some of the wealthiest people of today, a common thread amongst them is they spend more time reading than watching television. Renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, Ben Carson attributes the beginning of his success to a mother who insisted he read and report on two books a week from his local Detroit Library. One of my prized possessions of my mother-in-law is her library card. It represents to me her love of reading which is something we shared. I will be forever grateful that my Dad introduced me to the library, and I have many memories of out time spent there together. I'm hoping someday to introduce my new grandchild to the wonders of books and a magical place called the library.

Books

Books. I fell in love with books in third grade. I remember walking home from school reading The Hundred Dresses. I just couldn't put it down.  I needed to know how it ended.  It was during this time that my Dad took me to the library for the first time. I remember the librarian recommending Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, but I don't remember actually reading it.

It wasn't until fourth grade that I met Nancy Drew in a literary sense of the word. I couldn't read the series fast enough. I loved Nancy. I loved her bravery, her intelligence, her cool car and her cute boyfriend Ned. I so wanted to be Nancy until the day I realized a few years later that I was kind of a chicken at heart. It was a sad day when the reality hit me that I would never be Nancy.

But my love for reading had been ignited. I read biographies, historical fiction,teen romances, Steven King novels, racy adult romances, and a host of self-help books along the way.  In fact there was a book that I checked out from the Hampton-Illinois library at least a dozen times during my early teen years. It was called A New You.  I faithfully read it time and time again hoping that some miracle transformation might take place.

My love of books spread to my love of libraries and later book stores. As a beginner driver my Dad used to let me drive to the library every Saturday. Without fail, every time I left the parking lot and took a right turn onto Illinois Ave.I would run over the curb. I remember returning to that library years later hoping to to find my old favorite, but it was no longer on the shelves. I guess I must have helped wear it out.