Galion Public Library to the Rescue!

A storm last week forced a time of being 'unplugged' for me here at home because it blew out our Internet receiver. I was able to keep blog posts coming because of the free Internet service provided by Galion Public Library.

I am thankful that I was able to continue to work because of the library, but even more thankful that the new receiver was installed today and I can work from home again.

As you can see in the picture, our library is a beautiful building.  It is one of 2509 libraries made possible by  the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. I love the architectural details of Carnegie libraries; stately, scholarly, yet welcoming. Of course, a library is more than an impersonal  building (no matter how beautiful to look at), filled with books, movies, records, and services; a library becomes a good, even exceptional, hub of a town because of the staff. And the staff at Galion's library is *extra*exceptional :)

Forward thinking Galionites in the early 1900 took advantage of the Carnegie Formula and came up with the land and levies to build and maintain the library, an act that has been a blessing to many generations and will continue for many more to come. So, what is a "Carnegie Library"? If you want to learn more, you can read about Carnegie's generosity here.

How often do you visit your library and take advantage of its programming? I am at Galion library several times a week because the organizations I belong to meet there. I bring home books, magazines, and music. Sometimes I wonder just how much money I've saved during the 40 years I've lived in this town because of borrowing from the library...but my brain cannot wrap itself around such a calculation. Lets just say, TONS!

On the shelves I first learned about Helen and Scott Nearing (Living the Good Life); Gladys Taber of the Stillmeadow books; Patricia Penton Leimbach; and many more books by naturalists and 'back to the landers'. I've checked out cookbooks, garden books, craft books; it seems that no matter what I am interested in, I can find out about it at this library.

I know that my life would not be as blessed is it is today without the knowledge that I've gained from our library. Now that, my friends, is a thought more beautiful than the building that houses all of that knowledge (and more).

Marcheta *bookish