Everyone has a story to tell. Happy or sad, instructional or inspirational, fact or fiction- stories inform and enrich our personal life experience. As a librarian, I have read, heard and told scores of stories throughout my life. I have experienced these stories in books, movies and songs; in casual and professional settings; with family, friends and strangers. Regardless of how and when I’ve experienced my story moments, they have all shaped who I am.
I have recorded many of my life stories in personal journals that include written words, pictures and artifacts. When I review a journal entry, I am easily transported to the day and time of the event and am reminded that there is more to the story than the one-dimensional journal entry. There is a previous experience to be lived and relived.
Libraries serve a similar discovery purpose for the community by providing customers access to books, pictures and artifacts that provide a variety of memorable starting points for stories and experiences that shape our personal life. The maintenance and upkeep of these treasured institutions is the role of the librarian.
In April, we celebrate National Library Week (NLW). Organized in the mid-1950s, NLW encourages people to read and to improve their lives, health and relationships, all with the help of the library. Today, NLW is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries and librarians play in providing access to a host of stories that transform lives and strengthen communities, as well as help us define our own personal story.
At CCPL, we celebrate National Library Week every day by showcasing the many traditional and nontraditional ways we encourage people to read and improve their lives, health and relationships. This is accomplished by circulating a toy collection, lending state park backpacks, distributing Covid tests, building makerspaces with 3D printers, reserving meeting rooms with multimedia tools, and providing access to diverse material collections and well-trained librarians who can help you find, learn and organize your own story. We look forward to seeing you at your local library.
-Dr. Michael R. Mabe
Director of Library Services