"Use libraries and learn stuff"
Today I took my youngest two children to the library.
On a whim, while I was there, I signed up Elijah for his own library card, and I introduced the library staff to Clara, whom they oohed and ahhed over.
You see, at my local library, the staff are on a first-name basis with us. When Noah placed third in our township's public speaking contest, the CEO of the library passed along her congratulations. When I walked in today, she complimented me on my haircut. These staff members are genuinely invested in me and my family, and in our community.
I love accessing the library as a 'third place.' Being a stay-at-home mom, especially in a rural community, especially in a place where winter sprawls, bitterly cold and vicious, for months, having a safe, fun, low-cost place to bring my children is gold {also: note I said "low cost" and not "free;" I am notorious for returning my library books late and despite my best intentions to change my ways, I rack up overdue fines with reckless abandon).
Of course, I don't only go there for a wholesome environment to let my children roam around and explore, nor to have my hairstyles affirmed. I go there because I love to read, and delight in encouraging the love of the written word in my children.
Now, our library is limited greatly by it's small size and it's small budget. {I recently learned they receive just slightly above $12,000 a year from the provincial government, and this number hasn't increased since 1992. That is pathetic, Ontario.} Because of these limitations, it simply can't shelve nearly the type or the breadth of books my children and I are interested in. That's why I eagerly have used the inter-library loan system time after time. I email or call the library, request a book -- nearly any title -- and in a week or two, it arrives.
It's like a mini-Christmas for the biliophile. Especially one on the Dave Ramsey realist plan; why line Jeff Bezos' pockets when this wonderful free service is made available to me?!
Except that as of last week, it no longer is.
The province of Ontario completely cut the funding for the inter-library loan system. While our library does exceptionally well with it's small budget, it's collections can't keep up with the interests of my family. The inter-library loan system was the backbone of our library use but now it has been demolished.
When Sarah MacKenzie from the Read-aloud Revival recommends books, I can no longer request these books for my children. While exposing my children to the best possible books is something I treasure, I am now not able to do so unless I fork over money that we simply don't always have.
When the hankering for a quiet evening with a Wendell Berry novel and a cup of tea overtakes me, I must wait until, say, my birthday or Christmas to be handed my longed-for novel. Because, yes, I have checked -- there isn't anything by Wendell Berry in our town's library.
The inter-library loan system made living in a rural community on one income livable for me. And now it's been taken away.
I am truly devastated.
I said so to the CEO today, after she admired Clara, helped me square off my fines yet again (mea culpa) and handed Elijah a candy after he asked sweetly and she quietly confirmed with me first to make sure it was alright.
I asked what can be done, and she pointed to a print-out on the circulation desk with the address for our MPP and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, as well as a petition to sign.
I came home and spent Elijah's nap time typing out letters and signing said petition, hoping my one voice could contribute something.
I also cried a little, as I wondered, truly, the lasting impact this would make on my children's education and my own mental health. Access to good, edifying books -- despite our income -- is a refuge for me, and without it, I truly won't be the same.
We mustn't kid ourselves -- budgetary cutbacks to local libraries impact first and foremost rural communities. Furthermore, the people within those communities who will most keenly feel these cutbacks are the more vulnerable members of our communities -- people from lower income brackets, seniors, children and the intellectually challenged.
We must fight this.
On a whim, while I was there, I signed up Elijah for his own library card, and I introduced the library staff to Clara, whom they oohed and ahhed over.
You see, at my local library, the staff are on a first-name basis with us. When Noah placed third in our township's public speaking contest, the CEO of the library passed along her congratulations. When I walked in today, she complimented me on my haircut. These staff members are genuinely invested in me and my family, and in our community.
I love accessing the library as a 'third place.' Being a stay-at-home mom, especially in a rural community, especially in a place where winter sprawls, bitterly cold and vicious, for months, having a safe, fun, low-cost place to bring my children is gold {also: note I said "low cost" and not "free;" I am notorious for returning my library books late and despite my best intentions to change my ways, I rack up overdue fines with reckless abandon).
Of course, I don't only go there for a wholesome environment to let my children roam around and explore, nor to have my hairstyles affirmed. I go there because I love to read, and delight in encouraging the love of the written word in my children.
Now, our library is limited greatly by it's small size and it's small budget. {I recently learned they receive just slightly above $12,000 a year from the provincial government, and this number hasn't increased since 1992. That is pathetic, Ontario.} Because of these limitations, it simply can't shelve nearly the type or the breadth of books my children and I are interested in. That's why I eagerly have used the inter-library loan system time after time. I email or call the library, request a book -- nearly any title -- and in a week or two, it arrives.
It's like a mini-Christmas for the biliophile. Especially one on the Dave Ramsey realist plan; why line Jeff Bezos' pockets when this wonderful free service is made available to me?!
Except that as of last week, it no longer is.
The province of Ontario completely cut the funding for the inter-library loan system. While our library does exceptionally well with it's small budget, it's collections can't keep up with the interests of my family. The inter-library loan system was the backbone of our library use but now it has been demolished.
When Sarah MacKenzie from the Read-aloud Revival recommends books, I can no longer request these books for my children. While exposing my children to the best possible books is something I treasure, I am now not able to do so unless I fork over money that we simply don't always have.
When the hankering for a quiet evening with a Wendell Berry novel and a cup of tea overtakes me, I must wait until, say, my birthday or Christmas to be handed my longed-for novel. Because, yes, I have checked -- there isn't anything by Wendell Berry in our town's library.
The inter-library loan system made living in a rural community on one income livable for me. And now it's been taken away.
I am truly devastated.
I said so to the CEO today, after she admired Clara, helped me square off my fines yet again (mea culpa) and handed Elijah a candy after he asked sweetly and she quietly confirmed with me first to make sure it was alright.
I asked what can be done, and she pointed to a print-out on the circulation desk with the address for our MPP and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, as well as a petition to sign.
I came home and spent Elijah's nap time typing out letters and signing said petition, hoping my one voice could contribute something.
I also cried a little, as I wondered, truly, the lasting impact this would make on my children's education and my own mental health. Access to good, edifying books -- despite our income -- is a refuge for me, and without it, I truly won't be the same.
We mustn't kid ourselves -- budgetary cutbacks to local libraries impact first and foremost rural communities. Furthermore, the people within those communities who will most keenly feel these cutbacks are the more vulnerable members of our communities -- people from lower income brackets, seniors, children and the intellectually challenged.
We must fight this.
I added a little flair to my purse today, found at our library.
It may look like a cheerful accessory
but in reality, it's an expression of me in full-blown angry activist mode.
Jenna, I think you should submit this for publication - local newspapers, etc...you wouldn't have to do a sit in and you could still be an "activist". It is so well written and on point!
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