Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Love a Library












Does walking into a library slow your pulse rate and lower your blood pressure? When you inhale the scent of books do you feel right at home? Can you spend hours in a library and feel like it's only been minutes? If so, you're a true book lover.

April 12-18 is National Library Week. If you haven't noticed it before, libraries have come a long way from the image of prune-faced bespectacled librarians shushing all the patrons. These days libraries sponsor so much activity, it might be more accurate to describe them as a community center. From arts and crafts workshops to book discussion groups to exercise classes, the library does it all.

St. Charles County's library system is truly a jewel. Each branch has a virtual plethora of things to do and learn.

Of particular interest to me are the author/book events. The library showcases both local authors and national best selling ones. Take a listen to a few of the recent big names to visit the library: Sara Gruen, Jennifer Nielsen, Sarah Dessen, Sharon Draper, John Stephens, and  Lisa Scottoline. Every one is a New York Times bestselling author. Tomorrow night I plan to attend the Susanna Kearsley event (another NY Times bestselling author). I recently read her book, The Winter Sea, and absolutely loved it. In high school I adored reading Mary Stewart's books and Ms. Kearsley has a writing style very similar. She meticulously researches her historical romance novels and recently did an event with an author you may have heard of...Diana Gabaldon (Outlander). I can't wait!

If you want to "check out" what's going on at the St. Charles City-County library branches, click here.

If you live farther away, I hope you take the time to visit and support your own library. You just have to love them, don't you?

9 comments:

Saku said...

It's sad to say but I don't visit the local library. I did however spend a fair amount of time in the library when I was away this winter for a month. I went there to read and to join a knitting group on Saturday afternoons. Perhaps it is time to explore what is available here at home. :)

Sioux Roslawski said...

Pat--I used to go to the bookmobile (when I was a kid) every week. Just the feel of the kind-of rickety steps, the whoosh of the air-conditioning (in the summer), the smell of the books.

It was pure heaven...

Unknown said...

We don't use our local library but they are still popular with locals. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly

Lassiter Chase and Benjamin said...

Mommy loves our local library. She is learning to do Calligraphy in there. The library is pawsome!

Sketching with Dogs said...

You're right, going to the library really does help relax me - and also excites me as I never know if I will find a gem of a book that I will love.
Lynne x

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Love the library. Just the smell of all those books . . . ! Heaven!

Linda O'Connell said...

I feel a sense of adventure in bookstores.

Tammy said...

I didn't realize libraries offered all of that even though I should have known. They are now called "The Learning Commons" in a lot of schools in my district. Thanks for the information.

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

I love the library...recently discovered a new kids book I adore and was thrilled it was a series and even had lesson plans...can't wait to pick it up at my local library?