Very few times in these days do you see so many potential possiblities seated at one table, void of politics, void of prejudices, void of grudges – BUT, when it happens, – magic.
Yesterday, as over 60 + individuals tied to libraries in some way:
Administrative Libraries and Librarians
Legislative Advocacy Libarians
Friends of the Library Librarians
Community members that benefit from Delaware Libraries
and for over three hours, literacy, stories about pets, family, community, technology, innovation, accomplishments, creative ways to move beyond challenges to funding, talking pets, friends, family, students, curriculum, and Delaware as a state and how we can reimagine our state- lots of laughter, lots of overdue relaztion, lots of expertise and reacquanting with each other outside of screens- so much happened when library advocates were able to get together and celebrate literacy in so many ways.
Now, as we celebrate libraries, on this day celebrating Dr. Annie Norman’s retirement at Big Oyster Brewery in Milford, (The longest table of adovciates of literacy I saw in ages!) – even more reasons need to be made to get togetehr with you, community members, to reinforce in the face of massive cuts to funding for librarians and libraries, how nothing keeps litereacy down and out if you decide it is important. You also need to make that decision that litereacy in all its forms is vital and worth showing to for events your school and local public library is putting on, could be putting on, and yet to be out on. Please reach out to all of these amazing people in our communities up and down in the state, as wel as to your legislators, and keep pushing forward as librarians and library adovcates continue to change the story at hand, NOT just when legislation is meeting for discuss and consider finding, but every day and involving our youth.
Is it about ONE person? Sometimes it takes one or two people to start major changes. When individuals are willing to sacrifice their time, a weekend, their energy, their creativity up and down a state, a willingness to come together, things change despite the obstacles set in front of them, And whether you realize it or not, libraries of all kinds, as well as librarians, can help be at the center of all such movements.
“Libraries aren’t just for books. They’re often spaces that transform into what you need them to be: a classroom, a cyber café, a place to find answers, a quiet spot to be alone. It’s actually kind of magical. This week, we have stories of people who roam the stacks and find unexpected things that just happen to be exactly what they required.“
– This American Life podcast – The Room of Requirement
PAVEing a Blog 