20 Ways I Have Shown My Undying Love for Libraries

Did you know this week is National Library Week? Whoohoo! Let's give it up for the libraries!

Let's pause for a moment and reflect on the beautiful and perfect combination of Misty Copeland + Library Love.

Anyone who knows me or follows me knows I am a hardcore library fan. Why? Because they are awesome. Duh. But, because libraries are homes to my favorite items on earth (books) and safe places for people from every walk of life to get FREE access to knowledge.

If you think I am exaggerating about my undying love for libraries, I am here to prove you wrong. And, you might realize you are a fan of libraries in a big way too.

YOU MIGHT BE A FAN OF LIBRARIES IF...

1. You get a new library card before you get a new driver's license when moving to a new state.

2. You memorize your library card number but still do not have your children's SSNs memorized.

3. Your library card is falling apart but the idea of getting a new one makes you want to curl up in a corner and cry because you know you'll lose your number.

PS. My shirt says, "This is How We Roll." 

4. Your baby's entire social calendar revolved around the library's storytimes, which you had memorized. And, you visited multiple branches to hit up as many storytimes as possible.

From one of our many (MANY) trips to library storytime

5. You hold an M.Ed Library Media.

6. Your one and only brother is currently in graduate school to earn his MLS.

7. You volunteer at the library or donate to the library.

Taking books to the homebound

8. You have memorized the number of items you can check out at any time and the loan limits and the fees.

9. The most fun job interview you ever had was for a library job where you got to talk about books the entire time.

10. You have your own Little Free Library. 

My favorite Mother's Day gift ever

11. You used your college library as a place for researching, studying, and/or sleeping.

12. You know the library holds system better than you know the grocery store.

13. You felt giddy the first time your kid checked out a library book.

My kids love libraries too

14. You own library gear.

15. You regularly add library events to your calendar.

16. You have attended more library events than you can count.

17. As an adult, you still do the library's summer reading challenge. 

18. You help your friends use the library's online resources like it is your job.

If there ever comes a day when my library account shows zero, call the police. Something is wrong.

19. Your dream piece of furniture is a card catalog. 

20. You, too, believe "that Paradise will be a kind of library.” - Jorge Luis Borges

Surely, I am not the only one who has done these things?! 

But, seriously, if it has been a while since you have visited your local library, I encourage you to make the change today. My local library system is amazing and I brag on it all the time. Spartanburg County Public Libraries offers way more than books - they've even added a Makerspace where library patrons can monogram to their heart's delight or do some 3D printing.