Since our grandchildren have been little, my wife and I have often taken them to the town library. They're excited to go every single time. There are books to pick out, games to play, other children to meet and just a wonderful safe little world of learning to explore.
One of the most exciting moments in each of our grandchildren's young lives was getting their very own first library card. Here is our 4 year old grandaughter Sophia getting her's last week.
All our grandchildren feel like the library is especially for them. Its for their parents too. It is also for my wife and me as their grandparents. There is something for everyone at a library. A library is for the whole community. It brings the entire community together.
Our son's family lives in a little town near Plymouth Massachusetts. They have a fabulous library where they take their children practically every week.
My son's wife is a first grade teacher in their town. She is very popular. When they are out to dinner in town and run into a family with little children that go to her school the kids get very excited to see her! But there is someone in town who is more popular than any teacher, the principal, any fire or police person and even the town supervisor. It is the town librarian.
Wherever the librarian goes, the children get extremely excited. Everyone, including the parents and teachers is happy to see the librarian. My son will tell you -- The most popular person in their town is the librarian.
As we watch our grandchildren grow and thrive with each library visit, we're reminded of the timeless value of these institutions. A librarian is the keeper of the place that stands as a beacon of knowledge and imagination.
