Library Card Sign-up Month

 by Laurie Lyda  Rowan Public Library

Library Card Sign-up Month is currently underway at libraries nationwide, and Rowan Public Library’s recent preparation for our celebration has had me pondering what libraries have meant in my life.

To put it mildly, they’ve meant a lot.

I love libraries – I always have. The sight of neatly organized shelves, tables arranged for study and conversation, and quiet study carrels (which were usually my favorite spots) have always filled me with a quiet joy. Even the smell of libraries makes me happy.

For me, libraries represent knowledge and freedom. I grew up without the Internet and mostly without chain bookstores, so visiting the library and getting access to new books or magazines to read and new films to watch was amazing. I cherished those opportunities.

Even now, one of my favorite things to do when traveling is to visit libraries – they reveal so much about the local communities. When examined altogether, the content of un-curated flyer collages on community boards, the themed displays, the advertised programs and events, and even the aesthetic arrangement tell a story about what that particular library does. And that’s a story that I always enjoy reading.

Libraries and communities enjoy a reciprocal relationship in so many ways. Libraries are constantly in a state of change as they evolve to meet the needs of the people they serve. They develop programs, acquire resources, and strive to inspire – and all in ways that will contribute to the quality of life for the communities of which they are a part.

Throughout this constant evolution, though, one of the core tenets remains one of the most vital: Libraries are bigger on the inside.

One of my favorite “Doctor Who” episodes is “Silence in the Library” (reboot series 4, episode 8) – not only because it introduces River Song, but also because the entire planet is a library.

The. Entire. Planet.

Imagine that for a second. The concept makes me both giddy with excitement and a little sad – I’d never be able to read my way through an entire, continent-sized section or view every display!

Though our physical libraries may not be planet-sized, they still hold worlds of knowledge. And our engagement with those resources allows us to travel through time and space – without necessarily having to delve into the “big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey... stuff,” as Ten (David Tennant) puts it.

So, whether you frequent the Headquarters, East, or South Rowan Regional branches of Rowan Public Library, you can explore lost worlds with books like David Grann’s nonfiction “The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon.” Or, you can travel back in time with stories like Erik Larsen’s historical narrative about the Chicago World’s Fair and H.H. Holmes in “The Devil in the White City.” Those who prefer fiction can delve into countless worlds that range from Harry Potter to the estates of Jane Austen’s novels to the dystopian world of a post-Yellowstone super volcano eruption. 

For those who enjoy films, RPL’s ever-expanding film collection may hold something of interest: It houses recent releases, classic cinema, and documentaries, among other genres.

Book-to-film adaptations are a perennial favorite. For example, Grann’s book has been adapted into the film “The Lost City of Z,” starring Charlie Hunnam, which is on order for RPL’s circulating collection.

“Doctor Who” is an example of a topic that transcends resource genres: RPL has several classic and reboot episodes on DVD, graphic novels, nonfiction books about the show, and even Justin Richards’ “Time Lord Fairy Tales.”

Remember, too, that many items in RPL’s circulating collection can be sent to your branch of choice. So, if you live in China Grove and want to check out “Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor” but find it’s only available at the Headquarters branch in Salisbury, you can place the item on hold and have it sent to South Rowan Regional for pick-up. This is a great convenience that I personally make use of on a regular basis.

For those who want to explore digital resources, researchers can quickly fall down the rabbit hole, traveling from database to database, searching out the articles and eBooks and other materials that are of interest to them. Some customers express a lack of confidence in their skill at navigating online resources; if you’re in this group, I encourage you to take some time just to practice. Getting familiar with the way online resources work is imperative to feeling more confident. And, if you get stuck, call or visit your nearest branch for assistance.

The libraries in our lives allow us to explore universes galore – a fact I’ll always be grateful for, despite my eternal disappointment that I’ll likely never have the opportunity to explore them via a Tardis.

If you haven’t been to the library lately, Library Card Sign-up Month is the perfect time to do so. For more information about Rowan Public Library, its locations, services, and resources, please visit www. RowanPublicLibrary.org.