Monday, June 20, 2011

Michigan Monday- the library

One of the things we all loved about our old suburban land of a thousand suns was the fantastic public library right down the street from us.  Despite it's near-arctic temperatures (the interior of library that is, particularly in contrast to the heat of the outdoors) and less than chipper staff, their programs were very enjoyable.  So enjoyable and so utterly free that one had to arrive at the library at leas an hour prior to the event and stand in line with the hundred or so other folks who were also standing in line, and if they could cram you into the room, then you were IN!  And you could breathe a sigh of relief.  If not, well, you had to break the news to your crying toddler.  That's life, right? 

We loved it because we didn't know any better.  We thought it was normal not to be able to find a parking space or a seat or for it to be so crowded that your visit was cloaked in constant fear of losing one of your children in the melee - it was FREE after all.  I mean, how many things are FREE?

A lot, apparently.

We have recently availed ourselves of our local library with all of their many, many FREE events and programs because it's summer and of course that's what you do in the summer for free.  You go to the library.  And I was nervous.  My oldest daughter was even more nervous.  What if it isn't good?  I mean, it's so small.

Oh sweet, fortunate children!  Blessed, happy mother!  It is the library of every child's dreams!

If you are an adult seeking a quiet place to do some serious thought in complete silence, please do not go to the Delton District Library.  If, on the other hand, you are a child who loves books and also cats and fish and parrots and puppets and outdoor reading areas that smell like fresh herbs: go there immediately!

 

Oh, and about that getting there an hour early and waiting in line thing that I was so accustomed to...

We "only" got there a half hour before the free movie (yes, a free movie for kids to watch in a special screening room in the library of wonderment, with a blanket on the floor and chairs and tables and free fruit punch.  We were welcome to bring our own snacks, you guys.) was set to start, and guess what?  Plentiful parking.  No lines.  They didn't even start talking about the movie until three minutes before it was set to start.  Then it was sit wherever you please.  Meander in and out at will.

Enjoy yourself.

Just take a minute to let it soak in: I enjoyed being at a free children's event by myself with four kids.

The librarians were sweet and kind and helpful!  The other children were friendly!  Not a single patron of the library gave any other patron the Death Glare!  We didn't feel like ragamuffin outcasts because I let my children pick out their own clothes and brush their own hair!  Hallelujah!  Such a place does exist!

Paul said a very special motorized-vehicle-Hallelujah as well when he discovered that they had so kindly installed a special RACETRACK just for him outside in the reading garden.


 
 
I'm glad I didn't know what I didn't know, because it would have made me frustrated and a little sad.  But it does make me all the more thankful, joyful really, that this is what we have now.

And when I'm done writing this to you, I'm going to go and put the free ventriloquism classes on the calendar.  True story!

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26 comments :

  1. Aren't libraries just the best? I've never been to a crazy packed library like the one you mentioned. I have been to University libraries which is always packed during dead week and you can never get on a computer and as you sit there, waiting patiently, you see some idiot that you know isn't going to pass any test or class, updating their myspace. MYSPACE. nobody even uses that anymore. sheesh! :) Glad you enjoyed your library time, they are one of my very favorite places to be.

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  2. I love the library and have passed that love on to my kids. When they were little I took them to all the summer freebie events and puppet shows and year-round story times offered at the Pasadena Public Library branches. It was heavenly! The programs here in Knoxville are on a smaller scale and since my kids are older, we have not taken advantage of them any longer. But summer reading programs are still a must for the family! Another plus are books that can be borrowed instead of bought for book club meetings. I passed that on to my book club members from the get-go. Free is the way to go!

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  3. Ventriloquism? Can't wait until you show us how good you are here on this blog!

    Libraries rock! I was at mine today. :)

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  4. Good libraries are the most amazing gem a neighborhood/town can offer. I absolutely hate our local library--disorganized shelves, all volunteers, no real librarian who actual cares about things, no late fine so nothing ever actually comes back--so I pay to be a member of another town's library. Said library is 20 minutes away. Our town library is .9 miles away. Worth the drive? Hell yes! There's nothing better than a great library. So happy for you!!

    Can't wait to hear about the ventriloquism, for you, your kids, or both? Interesting

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  5. The summer my daughter was born we did the library thing A LOT. Thanks for reminding me that it's a great option for a hot summer day!

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  6. Como say what??? Our new libes is in a strip mall. Very very jealous!!

    Lucky ducklings!!

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  7. I want a library. Do they have them at Target?

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  8. I recall the library in Wapakoneta Ohio as a kid, it was wonderful with lots of wonderful books and a librarian who would help you find something if you simply couldn't find it. I remember the smell, the quiet peace, the card catalogs I loved so much, the wonder of books.

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  9. Our new library is enchanting like that, Ann! The kids, all 4 of them, would happily go there
    EVERY DAY OF THEIR LIVES. They just feel so safe and happy. It's really amazing :)

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  10. Thanks Dwiji for this post! Library events are in danger of becoming extinct because of state cutbacks. All of those wonderfully free things to do may be a thing of the past! We should support our libraries because they ain't just for books! Support is simple; this post is a great way to start. Many people haven't step foot in a library in years we need to spread the word!

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  11. Libraries are da bomb!!! As a child, one of my favorite things to do was to go to our local library for fun, FREE events. I miss those days :( Your library looks amazing!!!! I want to visit!! Of course, when we move there, I can take the ventriloquism classes with you and your children can help babysit my future children. It'll be FUN!

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  12. Your kids are seriously adorable and they must be at least a little bit behaved for you to have survived a trip to the library with all four! Sounds wild and crazy to me.

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  13. As far as I can tell, the house is still for sale, Katie! Although I did see two dudes with trucks chatting in front of it today and I was all "Who are you and what are you doing at Katie's house?!?!?!"

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  14. Amber, it WAS wild and crazy...but so is our library, so they fit right in :)

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  15. Hello...I found your blog after hearing about it from two of my favorite people, my sister (Nora) and a dear friend, Charlotte (Waltzing Matilda). I just had to comment on this post because you really have found a gem of a library. It reminds me of our little library in a neighboring suburb. It was closed last Christmas.:( It was a place a lot like you described yours to be. I never feared anything there, and we knew all the librarians (and they knew us!). Thankfully, many of the librarians have been relocated to the library we now frequent. Unfortunately, the new library is not what I prefer. Instead of wanting to read and play there, my kids are being tempted by the giant Wii god mounted on one of the walls!:( Ugh...why did they have to put that in?! Enjoy your library bliss...I would!;)

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  16. Lucky you! Your local library sounds like such a treasure :)

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  17. Check and see what they have during the colder months, too. Our library offers a chess club every Tues after school for 3 hours (THREE HOURS!) where anyone ages 7 and older and learn and play chess; my kids are all becoming little Bobby Fishers. Our library also offers magic classes, how-to-draw-your-own-comic-book classes, and SO much more ALL during the school year!

    Don't you just love the smell of a library? Reminds me of my own childhood...

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  18. You can only go to those free classes if you show us a video with you showing off your mad skills! Hilarious! That is pretty nice that you have all those free things to do around you. Looks like the kiddos were really having a good time!

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  19. I grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, near a small, small town without a library. All I ever wanted was a library in my town. Guess what? Vesta still doesn't have a library, but at least it has a bookmobile that stops on main street like once a month.

    For nearly 30 years I've lived blocks from a library in southeastern Minnesota. Oh, how could I be so lucky? My three kids all attended the summer reading programs there, which were just as wonderful as those in your Michigan library. All of my kids love to read.

    My two daughters volunteered at the library through a young adult program and then went on to work as pages, filing books and other materials.

    Can you tell that I love books and libraries? So glad you and your family found one that fits you.

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  20. Books, animals, and free ventriloquism classes?? This sounds like the best place ever! : ) Love the pictures, too!

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  21. As a librarian, I can't help but to love this post and, of course, I'm gonna share it because "sharing is caring" and "caring is free" and "libraries are free" and "librarians dig free things". OK, that last one is all mine, but you get it.

    PS
    All libraries are cold. I think they should hand out snuggies at the door.

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  22. Cats???? In a lirary???? It sounds fun, but just doesn't seem to go together in my mind. We are lucky enough to live right across from the library. It is mostly not crowded. For very popular events they make us register online to keep the numbers down. So there are sometimes waiting LISTS, but no waiting in LINES! That's crazy talk!

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  23. You are a lucky duck and your kids are real cuties. Our library system here in Toledo is a lot like yours, concerts, brown bag lunches, classes, story time - so glad you have a good library to visit : D

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  24. This is the kind of thing I envision during my "I wish I could be a part-time SAHM" moments. Sounds fantastic.

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  25. Dweej have I ever told you how very much I love you and all that you represent? :D You are such an inspiration! I just took my kids to the library the other day for the first time this summer, and did I notice the kindly librarians, non-judgmental folk, or awesome surroundings? Well, yeah, but I didn't bother to focus on it much. I just threw it into the overflowing file bin in my head entitled "stuff I totally take for granted because I am completely spoiled rotten these days even though I should remember what it was like when I wasn't." Annnyways, ;D just wanted to thank you for the awesome paradigm shift! XOXO!

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