Library Lovers Month
- Deb Caton
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Like many words, the word ‘library’ originated in Latin. The Latin word for ‘book’ is ‘liber,’ and the word ‘libraria’ means ‘collection of books.’ The earliest libraries dating back to 2600 BCE archived clay tablets. Today’s libraries do not resemble these ancient libraries at all. Now, libraries offer so much more than books, including technology services, meeting and study spaces, community activities, audiobooks, children’s spaces, and so much more.
There are even Human Libraries active in over 85 countries where, instead of books, you can listen to real people’s stories from real live people!
In addition to libraries being central gateways to knowledge and culture around the world, they may also be beautiful or noteworthy physical spaces. My computer background is a rotation of images of some of the most beautiful libraries in the world, including the Trinity College Library in Dublin, Ireland, and the George Peabody Library in Baltimore, Maryland. And while these libraries stand out among the over 2 billion libraries worldwide, the most beautiful aspect of any library is its presence in a community.
February is National Library Lovers Month, and the week of February 9-13 was National Library Lovers Week. According to the National Day Calendar website, the month is “…dedicated to the people who love whole buildings devoted to reading, housing, organizing, categorizing…and otherwise loving books.” That’s me! And we are so fortunate to have Frankenmuth Wickson District Library right here for the whole community to enjoy and share their love with.
So, how can you celebrate Library Lovers Month?
Definitely stop by the library and say hello! Walk around and see what’s new, chat with the library staff, congratulate Jen Harden on her promotion to Associate Director, and of course check out a book. You might also consider joining Wickson’s Friends of the Library Group, attending one of the many community activities hosted at Wickson, or bringing your kids or grandkids to spend some time there. And if you are not feeling up to venturing out in the cold, you can share the myriad benefits and joys of Wickson and other libraries from home – post on social media, take advantage of Wickson’s digital offerings, or learn more about the history of libraries.
You might also enjoy reading a book about libraries. Here are few suggestions:
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng is a beautiful story about a boy on a quest to find his mother after discovering a mysterious letter in the library where his father works.
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carol Boston is a young reader’s book about the Afro-Puerto Rican man who created the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library.
The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander is a middle grade book about Lenora and her adventures in the ultimate library.
There are still two weeks left to celebrate Library Lovers Month, and I hope you have an opportunity to do just that. Happy reading!