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I was in the Montross Library recently and fell into a most inspiring and enjoyable program honoring and celebrating African American culture-past and present. There were stories, anecdotes, poems, and some very inspiring gospel music sung by members of local church choirs. Then, lo and behold! Out came a ton of food- not just any food- soul food! I had two delicious helpings of a rice and bean dish and was headed back for more when a dessert table stopped me. As I looked upon all the homemade cakes, pies, and puddings, I thought, “I love this library.” Then, I went back and was greeted by a lady with a lilting Irish accent, talking to children about Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day. I sat patiently listening while my eyes wandered, looking for some corn beef and cabbage.
Have you ever been to your local library lately? If you haven’t, you’re missing out on one of the few things left that’s free- unless of course you have an overdue book. You might be surprised. It’s not the library that it was “back in the day.” The term library is somewhat of a misnomer these days; it’s more of a “media center”. To me, the word library conjures up images of study, research, reflection, and sweating bullets to pass an exam, all in solitude and silence, which, when all combined, is my definition for “nap.” I miss college.
The Montross Library has evolved from what once was a bookmobile, running around the county dispensing a variety of books in different flavors, like ice cream, to today’s library, which is a state-of-the-art community center. It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears from conscientious people over the years to make the Montross Library what it is today. Every three months the Montross Library presents an art history program. They recently exhibited a stunning exhibition of Picasso’s paintings. Most libraries around the Neck also offer a selection of the latest editions of local, regional and national newspapers, along with racks of popular magazines.
The library also has a selection of movies that would rival any movie rental business in the area. Why pay for classical ad popular movies when all it takes to check one out is a library card? For that matter, why go out and buy a PC when you’ve got high speed Internet access at libraries around the Neck. The library can save the frugal a lot of money.
There’s always something going on at your local library. For instance, the Montross Library recently hosted a “Grand Evening” presented by Problem Solvers at Cople Elementary. Students read while grandparents and grandchildren listened. No generation gap that night. The Heathsville Library has a bookkeepers meeting the second Tuesday of every month. No more excuses from the chaps that they can’t do their homework because they don’t understand it. The Montross and Heathsville libraries both offer “Homework Help” for students stuck on assignments. Montross Library also offers pre-school Story Time for ages 3-6 every Saturday at 11:00 am. My favorite in that category is Hop on Pop. Want to join a bookclub? Checkout your local library. The second Friday of every month at 11:00 am in Montross, members of the Readers of the Roundtable Book Club enthusiastically discuss the book chosen for the month.
Some local libraries, in conjunction with Pat and John Canning’s “Therapy Dogs,” have a program called “Paws for Reading.” Children read while dogs listen. (My dogs would benefit from this canine therapy. They’re both not only very poor listeners, they both have a bad habit of ignoring me altogether- unless, of course, I’ve got a biscuit.) Need a copy of a document? Just visit your library. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a librarian’s attention right away. They stay in constant motion checking books in and out, talking on the phone tracking down books and other media, stacking books to be reshelved, checking availability of computers, and gently reminding patrons of an overdue book- all with a courteous smile.
Call or stop by your local library and see all that it offers. It’s all part of living the good life.
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