My Library
by Cynthia E.  Jones

March, 2004

a visit to my local Library online...........

Our Libraries need their community to volunteer and donate as funding is quit limited.  It would be my guess that if a Library is unused it could be removed and duly missed by its community.  In essence, the more you visit, volunteer, check out books and perhaps donate your old books, you are helping to keep your Library open.

A Library is a wonderful source of informative material.  A visitor may have access to computers, scanners, printers, copiers, fax machines, and the internet as well as video, television, CD's, cassettes and other audio equipment.   You will also find Magazines, Local News Papers, Large Print Books and Electronic Books.  Libraries are not only filled with books but also with countless tools to help us find our answers and to learn more on any given subject.  Many of the tools available are fun to use and will encourage us and our Children to fit reading and learning into our lives.

I'm using my local Library as a model resource in my article but if you visit your local Library I am positive you will find the same resources in your area.

There are Reading Discussion Groups for Adults on every 2^nd Monday in the Meeting Room.   A Youth Reading Group can also be arranged by request.  These groups are similar to book clubs.  From personal experience I would recommend anyone, rather you have enjoyed reading in the past or not, to give a book club or discussion groups a try.  These groups are developed to introduce new titles and subjects to you, books that you would not normally seek out. 

I can visit my local Library 'Kingsville Public Library' online and login with my Library card.  Once logged in I can check the catalogue for book availability and reserve the books I wish to check out.  If I or a member of my family has checked out a book and we are going to need more time for reading that book, we can easily extend our check out time.  I invite you to visit my local Library online to see all the great services they offer and visit your local Library to gain the same kinds of access. 

For Ohio residents you can visit OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network) dedicated to providing Ohio residents free internet access through the state telecommunications network through their local public libraries.

I realize that many who will be reading this will not be residents of Ohio.  It is my hope that my article will bring an invitation or challenge for you to seek out your local library, either in person with a visit or by accessing them online.  I found a nifty search engine to help you find your local Library!  Ask a Librarian at
http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/local-library.html. If you already know where your Library is located and would prefer to visit them in person simply ask the Librarian if they have a web address. She or he will be more than happy to advise you and will love to see your interest in your Library and reading. I wish you the best of luck in finding and using a Library close to you.