Gemütlichkeit and Good Books: How a Library Warms a Community

As the air cools, leaves fall, and the first specks of snow begin to fly, Frankenmuth enters its most magical season. Full of warmth, we welcome guests from near and far to bask under the twinkling lights that adorn every tree and each lamppost. We warm their bellies with traditional chicken dinners, smoked old-fashioneds, and gooey warm fudge. We warm their spirits with live music, family ice skating, and magical visits with Santa inside an almost incomprehensibly adorned Christmas store. 

Simply put, we warm our guests with the traditional German value that has been woven into the very tapestry of our community- gemütlichkeit.  

And it’s that very feeling- the feeling of gemütlichkeit- a feeling we so graciously extend to our guests, that we can, do (and should!) spread amongst ourselves, as well. 

In a world that can feel disjointed and disconnected, Frankenmuth has the tools to remain intact. And, while perhaps I am a bit biased, I believe that one such tool is our local library.  

Each night, as we turn out the lights and lock the doors, the library turns into a dark, stoic building. Without its patrons, a library really is just a warehouse for artifacts. But each morning we unlock the doors, turn up the lights, and the library comes alive once again. It bustles with patrons picking out books, searching for puzzles, cramming for tests, meeting for Mah Jongg, singing at Story Time, and so much more. 

Yes, warmth is found in retreating within the pages of a novel. A singular, solo adventure. But warmth is also found in a simple smile passing between strangers amongst the bookshelves. It’s found in the librarian who welcomes a child by name as they walk in the doors for their weekly tutoring session. Warmth is found in a group of people sipping hot cups of coffee while animatedly discussing that month’s book club book.  

Our library is warmth for the person who can’t go home, and, with the help of our home delivery program, warmth for the person who can’t leave home.  

If, by some chance, you’re not familiar with the German concept of gemütlichkeit, I’d like to cordially invite you to step inside the doors of Frankenmuth Wickson District library and experience its comfort, peace, and warmth for yourself this holiday season.