Passport to the miraculous

Between paperboard

guards standing watch

I enter to discover

what world awaits my

weighty heart

The comforting journey

transforms any space

A fantasy kingdom could

spontaneously conjure in place

or a rocket might shoot

you into outer space

There’s no limits shackling

the destination when

words are your payment

The true toll comes in

eye strain and time

So sign your name

on the dotted line

take your golden ticket

to lands of wonder

examine the word

experience the divine

K.B. Silver

September is library card signup month. I wrote this piece in honor of the joy that reading and books bring to our lives. We can go anywhere, do or be anything, learn anything, and pass on our own experiences and feelings through the power of the written word. I spent so much of my brainpower retreating into books and the worlds I found there in order to make it through my childhood.

I consider the Library and the free access I had to books one of the greatest gifts I received from the society I live in. That was the help I got. Books, later music, and even video games that I got to check out from the library really gave my brother and me free access to the things everyone else had, but we couldn’t just buy. Media and art connect us to other possibilities and people than the ones we are stuck with.

Public access to information media at the Library is a lifeline for millions of people with no or reduced access to the internet. I know it is tough for many of us to imagine, especially those who grew up with technology at their constant disposal. There are people in the United States who may barely have a phone, and that is their only access to the internet.

According to the NTIA or the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, an astounding 83% of Americans 3 years and older have access. That is considered a resounding success, and should be, but considers mobile phone access to be access. When it comes to completing school and work assignments, a mobile phone just doesn't cut it, the Library can provide the rest of the tools needed.

Some of the resources Libraries provide:

• Books!
• Print materials; periodicals, magazines, comics, manga, etc…
• Access to online Databases
• Community events
• Specialty libraries
• Technological devices; computers, printers, faxes, even crafting supplies

Books, Books, and more Books! Books come in every format you can think of. We all know that is what a library is for. I am not sure I even need to cover this concept. Physical copies, and Ebooks, books on disc (depending on location, cassette tape?), as well as some large print, also depending on the location, you may be able to ask about braille books.

Much of what is available to you directly depends on what funds have been allocated or what materials have been donated to the library you are visiting. Many times, libraries are part of a branch system, and smaller local libraries will be organized under one head branch for the area. This allows many of the more costly functions and materials to be kept in the central location, and traveled to patrons via their local branches.

So, on to the second use a library is usually thought of for, those other print materials. You may be picturing kids coming in to pick up some comics or an older gentleman enjoying the newspaper in the quiet of the reading area. If a library has the resources or donations, there is so much more than that. Sheet music, teaching materials on any number of subjects such as language learning kits; reference materials both broad in application like dictionaries and phone books, or specialized, like style guides for writing, mechanical handbooks, or crafting guides, can all often be found in a public library.

When I refer to an “online database,” this isn’t a search engine like Google. A database is filled only with peer-reviewed journals and is paid for the privilege to access such high-quality information. You can’t just google the “JSTOR” website, for example, and read through all of their papers. You will see a preview and be prompted to put in your library card information. Only then will you have this wealth of scientifically sound documentation at your disposal. There are literally hundreds of these databases, focusing on various fields, from art and history to chemistry and theoretical physics.

Libraries hold a regular schedule of events as well. Many public library branches hold children’s, teen, and mixed community activities all year long. They may also have the option for public space to be used inside for studying, holding semi-private meetings, or even hosting your own planned community events. You can look for what services your public community library has available on their website or by going in and asking your local librarian for more information, many libraries have a schedule posted.

It may sound odd, but a library can be created to hold and lend more than books. I had the privilege of utilizing the Berkeley tool lending library. This allows residents the opportunity to check out hand and power tools to get their projects done without spending money on tools they will likely only use once and never again.

Hospitals and Large companies also keep their own libraries, filled with relevant books, reports, and records. There are libraries out there with tech equipment for loan; there are all digital libraries. Private libraries are created from personal collections or historical collections! There is almost no end to the wonderful worlds found on the curated shelves of your local library.

K.B. Silver

Thank you for reading!