Stop hugging that library. No wait, my mistake, I forgot that it’s Library Lovers Month-and it seems to have come at just the right time as many local libraries are struggling during the economic downturn. So why love your local library?
Libraries are a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life; they offer security and peace and quiet. They are also a place where you can focus surrounded by likeminded people with the desire to acquire knowledge.
History of Library Lovers’ Month
It’s important to understand that not everything is available on the internet (yet), libraries can have vast digital stores of information from opinion led snippets and snapshots from online. There may be some crossover of information but in most cases libraries are a much more economically viable solution when looking for information than the internet.
It’s also important to know that libraries offer services that aren’t available on the internet, including free assistance in finding obscure information and borrowing a book that may not be available in the admittedly immense catalogue one can find on the internet. One of the things that people often forget is that being a librarian isn’t like getting a job at the local supermarket. You want to be a Librarian? Be prepared to get a degree in Library Science. Yes, this is a thing that exists, and it’s necessary to become a librarian.
There’s more to a Library than just the books too! There are meetings that gather there that include everything from people of the Society for Creative Anachronism and other local organizations. There’s also magazines and periodicals, microfiche of local newspapers reaching far back into antiquity, and that’s just a start!
Love your library for what it is, a community meeting place or treasure trove of ideas. There is so much to be found there, including new books to read and guidance on research with papers you may have due. The people who frequent the library tend to be intellectuals, so who knows what kind of interesting conversations you could get into?
Why not push against the declining attendance of libraries and go and learn something new that will expand your knowledge of who you are, of where you live or what you do?
Do you have old History books, Encyclopedias, or even school books? Donate them! You can arrange a contact-free drop-off by contacting info@hushh.club
Library Lovers' Month is a month-long celebration of school, public, and private libraries of all types. “This is a time for everyone, especially library support groups, to recognize the value of libraries and to work to assure that the Nation's libraries will continue to serve." (quote from LITERARY MAMA website)
How can you support our library and "show the love?"
1. Stop in and mention to one of the staff why you like or love your library! Make their day!
2. Use their services! Check out books, DVDs, CDs, playaways, CD books. Check out audio and e-books on Kindle. Use their computers and free Wi-Fi. Attend programs. Bring in the kids to participate in the various activities in person or online. Take a moment to look at the art or photos on their Wall and any exhibits. Patronize us!
3. Take a look at their website now and then. Use the many resources they have available on their website. "Like" them on Facebook. "Follow" them on Twitter. Share our news on your networks and let your friends know that you love your library.
4. Join the Friends of the Knox County Public Library, maybe even the board! a group of nearly 1,000 citizens who volunteer for various activities including the Annual Used Book Fair, Branch Buddies, Movies on Market Square, Children’s Festival of Reading, and much more.
5. Donate a gift book to the Library in honor or memory of a loved one.
6. Volunteer for an event or help out at a library.
7. Sponsor a child, or several children, to receive books for a year from Imagination Library.
Most of all, come in and get to know them. They want to get to know you, too. You are their friends and neighbors and patrons. You are important to them! LOVE YOUR LIBRARY AND YOUR LIBRARY WILL LOVE YOU!
DID YOU KNOW SUBARU LOVES BOOKS?
The Subaru Loves Learning initiative is Subaru’s commitment to education. Participating local Subaru retailers work alongside AAAS [America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science] to provide schools and libraries serving kindergarten through twelfth grade with high-quality STEM education books and resources. This partnership makes learning accessible to all.
The award program, now in its 16th year, aims to spur the creation of new, high-quality books about science for children of all ages. Awards are given in four categories: children’s science picture book, middle grades science book, young adult science book and hands-on science book. The prizes are presented to the authors, except in the case of the picture book award, which is given to both the author and the illustrator. As part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative, Subaru and AAAS will donate the winning books to K-12 schools across the country through their local participating Subaru retailers. Last year, Subaru along with 541 retailers, participated and donated over 91,000 books to local schools. Since the program’s inception in 2015, the Subaru Loves Learning initiative has provided over 278,000 books to K-12 schools across the country.
“At Subaru, we believe education is a fundamental right and are dedicated to supporting organizations, like AAAS, to broaden the world of children through the study of science and innovation,” said Thomas J. Doll, President and Chief Executive Officer, Subaru of America Inc.
“Through the Subaru Loves Learning initiative and our partnership with AAAS, Subaru of America and our retailers have been able to provide an enriching and more accessible science education for K-12 schools by helping to recognize and donate books that enlarge the world of science for children. We congratulate this year’s award winners, whose books will inspire the next generation of science leaders.”
Beginning in 2005, the prize looked back on decades of outstanding science books and honored five authors and one illustrator for their significant and lasting contributions to children’s and young adult science literature and illustration. By 2006, the AAAS/Subaru Book Prize began to honor recently published, individual science books.
The prize emphasizes the importance of good science books and encourages children and young adults to turn to science books, not only for information, but for enjoyment too! It is meant to encourage the writing and publishing of high-quality science books for all age groups. AAAS believes that, through good science books, this generation, and the next, will have a better understanding and appreciation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
To find out more, visit www.sbfprize.org.
Don’t miss the outcome of 2020’s winners when the judging panel made up of scientists, experts in the field of science literature, librarians, and AAAS staff will assess the entries and announce the winner. Winning authors and illustrators will be honored at the AAAS Annual Meeting which will be held virtually, February 8-11, 2021. Each winner will receive $1,500 and a commemorative plaque.
