Coming up with a topic for this guest column is the hardest part for me.
If you know me, you know, as a co-worker once said, “Don’t ask Cheryl what she thinks, she’ll tell you.” I’m not usually at a loss for words. It is just choosing the topic.
First, I thought I would write about the importance of public libraries to a community and how there are more public libraries in the United States than there are McDonald’s. That is certainly true for Barry and Lawrence counties. By my count, there are four McDonald’s in the counties. There are nine public libraries in the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library system.
I thought about the time a child, after taking a tour of the library, asked me who owns the public library. My answer was “You are the owner.” I thought of all the services the library offers you, the owner. Faxing, copying, notarizing, computers, streaming video, audiobooks, free Wi-Fi in the parking lots to name a few. Programs like painting, yoga, crochet, homeschool enrichment, pre-school story time, game nights, and movie nights, all for little or no cost.
Then I thought I should write about the history of the Cassville Branch Library. In 1936, “A mass meeting was held in the Community Building on the evening of Dec. 3 for the purpose of organizing a Public Library Association for the city of Cassville.”
That is how the journal entry starts. Charles Willis the president of the Commercial Club presided over the meeting. E.N. Meador read sections of the Missouri Statutes that pertained to governing the establishing and supporting of a public library. Mrs. D.B. Meador gave a report on the organization of the Cassville Public Library. Different organizations in the city donated money to get the library started. The largest donation was $50 from the Commercial Club.
I finally decided on reading for enjoyment. When you read for enjoyment you discover some great things that will inspire you (maybe you will get a tattoo, I did) and some things that are a waste of a good tree.
If you are reading for enjoyment, here is a rule to remember. Nancy Pearl, a super librarian from Seattle, Wash., (she has her own action figure) says, and I agree, there are too many great books out there to suffer through one you do not like.
Her advice for adult readers is this; if you are under 50 read at least 100 pages before you give up on a book. If you are over 50, subtract your age from 100 and read that number of pages. Sometimes you can read a paragraph and decide it is not for you, or just a sentence, “Call me Ishmael.” You do not have to finish a book. If you are watching TV and do not like the show, do you continue to watch just because you started it?
Another thing to remember is this, we may read the same book but that does not mean we read the same story. Just because someone says, it is the best book ever does not mean it is the best book for you. Everyone gets something different from a book.
Experiment with different types of literature. If you decide you prefer one genre more than any other do not feel bad about it. I read all kinds of things and I judge books by their covers. If the guy on the cover is not wearing his shirt, I won’t pick it up. I do not care how hot he is or how good the book is. Try a young adult title. You would be surprised how many best-selling authors write for young people.
If you do not have a library card, get one. Then browse the shelves. Window shop for your books. If you do not want to go to the library, go to a bookstore. Browse their shelves. Write down titles that look interesting then borrow them from your local library.
If you are worried about not returning your books on time, check out an e-book, they return automatically. Ask the librarian for suggestions. Librarians are professional book picker outers.
Judge a book by its cover.
Cheryl Williams is the branch supervisor of the Cassville Branch Library. She may be reached at cheryl@blrlibrary. com.
