“I love the library because ever since I was a child, it has been a place of refuge and respite for me. She cultivated a lifelong love of literature in me.” Faye Fischer, contracts/grants analyst She always stopped me in the hall to ask about what I was reading. ![]() She took the time to asses my interest and request books from the junior high library. Her story times were epic, I was an especial fan of her delightfully macabre renditions of “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.” By fifth grade I had already read every book in that tiny little library. ![]() She transformed her tiny media center into another world including the all-seeing taxidermy owl perched on the cabinet. “I had a very special school librarian in elementary school. It was a little retreat for me! (And they also had an amazing DVD collection!)” Rachel Cook, grants coordinator There are big windows with comfy chairs and I would grab the latest “American Girl” magazine and read by the windows while my mom did her browsing. I remember both spaces fondly, but my favorite space in the new library was in the magazine section. “My library growing up was in an old strip mall until we got a new building when I was 8. Hearing the gratitude of our newly blind patrons makes me realize how good I’ve had it without even realizing it.” Michael Harris, readers advisor, Utah State Library for the Blind Now as both a patron and a member of the staff, I feel I am able to give back to an organization that, because it had always been there for me, I probably took for granted much more than I should have. As a lifelong patron of the library, I have used it as a student to get access to the books we read in language arts class, and it got me through many days during the summer when I wasn’t able to spend as much time with my friends. Going blind, especially later in life, can be a real challenge, and to those who were avid readers before their sight loss it’s something that we give back to them that they initially thought would be gone forever. “Our library gives people access to books that they wouldn’t have without it. My non-reader son discovered “Time” magazine on the bookmobile, and he now has a PhD in chemical engineering. I firmly believe his exposure to the bookmobile made a significant difference in his life.” Patricia Tompkins, Iron County Bookmobile Our local bookmobile brought story time to our rural area, along with the other amazing resources. It was a convenient way to introduce my children to libraries. “I have been a supporter of bookmobile services since my children were small. I would be sent home with dozens of new books.” Hannah Jones, Book Buzz coordinator/resource acquisitions technician She would take the time and take me around the library to help me find the perfect book. I also love the librarian who was from my hometown. “I love libraries because they are filled with countless new worlds to explore. How can you not love working in a job that makes you feel like that?” Paula Stuart, readers advisor, Utah State Library for the Blind “I am certain the world is a better place because I came to work today. Such good memories.” Lisa Nelson, director, Utah State Library for the Blind The librarian was kind, and she would often let me check out more than the limit, since I visited so often. I remember being so excited to look at the new books on display! I would spend a couple of hours there, reading all kinds of things. It was a Carnegie Library, just up the road from State Street. The children’s section was on the top floor, up a long flight of stairs, and I could smell that good papery book scent as I headed up the stairs. This is where my love of libraries began. ![]() “I grew up in Murray, and when I was a kid, I used to ride my bike to the old library on Vine Street every week or so. Here are some of the reasons our staff at the Utah State Library think that libraries are worth celebrating. April 23-29 is National Library Week – a time set apart to celebrate and promote everything libraries mean to our communities.
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