Hello blog readers! Join me in welcoming Shirley Rash of my small town’s Berryville Public Library today in a guest post all about libraries! -Courtney
Booklovers today have no shortage of options when it comes to finding books. Whether it is Amazon, local brick-and-mortar bookstores, or elsewhere, the possibilities are truly endless. However, there’s still nothing better than the local library.
There are many things I love about libraries (the books, for starters!), but one of my absolute favorites is the sense of community it provides.
The internet has made it so much easier for people around the world to connect, through cha trooms and blogs and other forums. It provides a sense of community but discourages face-to-face interaction. Finding a place to gather among like minded people in person can be hard, especially as our world becomes increasingly digital.
Not every town has a coffee shop (and not every person likes or drinks coffee or has the money to afford it!) Not every hobby has a corresponding club where enthusiasts can meet and discuss.
However, almost every town has a library.
It’s a place where bookworms can gather together and trade reading recommendations informally or participate in more formal book clubs.
It’s a place where children, teenagers, and adults can gather together to participate in hobbies that range from Legos to creative writing to coloring to knitting.
It’s a place where many community members who receive little other social interaction (whether because of age, infirmity, family situation, or poverty) can meet and talk to other people.
If you’re a regular library user, you know what a great sense of community the library provides. And that’s true of any public library, regardless of where you live.
If you haven’t been to your local library in a while, drop by and see what they have going on! There’s a little something for everyone,and you might be surprised to see what’s there for you — beyond the books, of course! 😊
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Shirley Rash blogs about books and more for the Berryville Public Library at Berryville Book Buzz. Check us out!
Carla Laureano is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.
