Saturday, February 4, 2017

Library Lovers Day Review


Book with a string heart across it
Courtesy of Pixabay
February 14th is more than just Valentine's Day - it's also Library Lovers Day.  

This is a day to honor libraries, librarians and all us bookworms who love libraries and the books they hold. 

Some say that the whole month of February is a time to celebrate libraries.  I say ANY day is a time to visit a library!


Celebrate Library Lovers Day on February 14th


With vast knowledge available at your fingertips on the internet, and with the invention of e-readers, one might think that public libraries are on their way out. But wait.... libraries are more than just places with books to borrow. They are places for meetings for groups of hobbyists or shared-interest groups.  There are regular story hours for toddlers. There are magazines and periodicals, movies and music, and the availability of microfiche of local newspapers for research purposes.  And, in keeping up with today's technology, most libraries have computers available for use.  

Librarians


Librarian Original Search Engine Coffee Mug
Librarian Original Search Engine Coffee Mug

by empireofthecat
Librarians must have a degree in Library Science, thus making them invaluable in helping you find everything from obscure information to the latest best seller.  

And just as borrowing a book is free, so is a librarian's assistance. 

Children and Libraries


Many libraries have a section just for children where they can play quietly while older siblings and parents look for books to read.  



Toddler Tyler playing with puzzles at the library
Tyler at the library 
Photo by Wednesday Elf

In a Cincinnati suburb near my son's house, such a play area at their local library is a favorite of my grandsons. There are small tables & chairs where they can read a book or play with jigsaw puzzles.

Mom & toddler enjoying the children's play area at the library
Library Play Area (c) Elf
There are also computers set up just for children.  The play area is light and airy located near big windows and also has comfy soft chairs for the parents to sit with a book while the children play.  

On a recent visit, I enjoyed a wonderful hour there with my grandsons.  Their mom takes them to this library at least once a week.  The library even has a coffee bar for adults to enjoy.



  

Did You Know....

 

Image of the Library of Congress
Library of Congress. Image Source: Pixabay

The Library of Congress in Washington, DC is the largest library in the world. Within its collections, there are literally millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts.  The 164 million items are stored on some 838 miles of bookshelves.  It also has the world's largest law library, with more than 2.9 million volumes, and contains United States congressional publications dating back to the nation's founding. 


Image of the Library of Congress
Library of Congress (Image Source: Pixabay)
The Library of Congress was founded in 1800 and is the oldest federal cultural institution in the nation.

It also is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.





Books, Books, and More Books....


New library at Wilmington Island, Georgia
New Library Near Me (c) Elf

If you are looking for a good book to check out at the library and read, you'll find a wide range of Book Reviews to aid you in your selection from the following sources:




*Our own BarbRad reviews books here on Review This!  Barb also talks about educational and children's books on her blog Books to Remember.

*Other members of Review This! frequently review books for ReviewThisBooks.com

*Reading is a pleasure beyond words.  I described how much my family loves books and reading in "For Love of Reading", along with a list of our favorite books.

 

How to Celebrate!



There are many ways to celebrate Library Lovers Day:
  • Visit your local library and check out a book.
  • Volunteer at a library book sale.
  • Take your child or grandchild to a library story hour or help a child get their very first library card. You will open a magical world to them through the joy of reading.



If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.


– Marcus Tullius Cicero



Library Lovers Day Review by:

~Wednesday Elf~




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


26 comments:

  1. I love libraries and have wonderful memories of taking the boys to the library when they were young. Happy Library Day!

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    Replies
    1. I've loved libraries all my life, Dawn Rae, and I also have wonderful memories of library visits with my children.

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  2. Oh, I love that quote! It might not be literally true, but I definitely understand the sentiment. I've always loved libraries. When I was in elementary school, I had the honor of being a librarians assistant. I loved it! True, I only stamped the books children where checking out with the return date and accepted the returned books, but I loved having the books pass through my hands. I, myself, discovered several books I wanted to read that way.

    I think my first official form of identification was my library card.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Working with books in any capacity is the best of all worlds! :)

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  3. What a wonderful review! I love libraries, too! I remember the first time that we visited the library in elementary school and I was elated to find out that I could borrow a book. I became a regular visitor even in between the scheduled days for my class to go. I, too, was a helper in the library in elementary, Jr. High and High School. Later in life, I was actually hired to be the assistant librarian in two different elementary schools. I never went to get my degree in Library Science and I probably should have...

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    1. Being a library 'helper' is wonderful, Bev. I volunteered at our city wide library sale last year -- setting up (3 days), working the sale (1 day) and putting away the leftovers (2 days). Being around 1,000s of books all in one place was delightful. And I found several to buy myself by doing that. My 'home' library fills to overflowing 6 bookcases in my home. :)

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  4. Visited my public library just yesterday. May we never take for granted the importance of our community libraries. I look forward to celebrating on the 14th. Books are my true love.

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    1. I have a love affair with books, too, Diana. My son called earlier today and started his conversation with "are you busy" and I told him I was just spending a delightfully lazy Saturday afternoon reading a book! :)

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  5. As a lifelong reader and a mom of two more, I'd be a totally different person today if it weren't for the public library which is well-deserving of a special day for a celebration.

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    Replies
    1. I agree, Susan. Public libraries are invaluable for many reasons and certainly deserve recognition.

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  6. I agree with everyone that libraries are fantastic. I wonder if they are used as much as they used to be now that so many books are available online but somehow it seems like libraries are here to stay. I have never been to one with a coffee bar in it. What a great idea! Your little grandson looks right at home there and he is absolutely adorable!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think libraries are here to stay, most definitely. In fact, my local branch just opened in a new building! I don't think they'd build more if libraries didn't continue to be a vital part of communities. Thanks so much for visiting my article.

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  7. I love libraries! I am a church librarian and also frequent the local public library as well. I read e-books too but love the feel of a book in my hands more than the laptop. LOL!
    Joy

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    Replies
    1. I know how important both public libraries and church libraries are to you, Joy. I, too, love holding a book in my hands. eBooks may be popular today, but you can't easily lie in bed curled up with a laptop! :-)

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  8. had no idea Valentines Day was library day - great way to combine gifts of love, with books. There's something so soothing about sitting in a library and reading a variety of books. It's incredibly relaxing.

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    1. I can spend many relaxing hours at the library, Barbara. Sitting in a place surrounded by books is perfect.

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  9. Libraries are the best. I should make better use of the one near me.....just can't seem to get there as often as I would like to. On my to do list....make more time for the library!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Olivia. Since Library Lovers Day is coming up, you could celebrate by visiting your local library.

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  10. Thank you so much for mentioning me and linking to my site. Did you know I always wanted to be a librarian? It didn't work out because I got married too soon and there was no library school where we did our graduate work. My first real job was working behind the desk of my local public library for 20 hours a week during my first three semesters in college. I've always loved public libraries. As you say, today's libraries are much more interesting than the one I almost grew up in sixty years ago.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. You are quite welcome, Barbara. I enjoy your book site. In addition to reading books, I like to read ABOUT books. :) And I'm not a bit surprised that you wanted to be a librarian and have worked at libraries. After all, you are known as BarbsBooks. :)

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  11. Thanks for the great article. I too love libraries and visit ours frequently. When I can't or don't want to leave the house our library also has wonderful internet services. By entering mylibrary card at their website I can access all types of reference materials and even download books to my Kindle. I use this service a lot when we are traveling.

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    1. I didn't know you could access reference materials via internet, Mary Beth. I'll have to check that out and see if my library offers such a service.

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  12. Being a retired library clerk and Wednesday Elf's sister-in-law I have high praise for this review. Well done Pat.

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  13. We've been taking our grandsons to the library since the were little guys. Both of them go to a Lego club once a week and spend an hour just building. I had no idea that there was a library day. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by Sam. A library Lego club - what fun for young Lego fans! Libraries certainly do appeal to every age and interest. They are definitely more than just books!

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