National Library Week

In case you missed it, this past week was designated as National Library Week. Of course, here at the Ledyard Public Libraries, we think every week should be library week. We are possibly a little prejudiced.

Through history, however, there have been many famous people who valued libraries. In Love's Labour's Lost, William Shakespeare wrote "They are the books, the arts, the academes, that show, contain and nourish all the world." Many years later, Lady Bird Johnson expressed her appreciation of libraries, "Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest." The famous author Lemony Snicket said "A good library will never be too neat, or too dusty, because somebody will always be in it, taking books off the shelves and staying up late reading them."

I am sure Charles Schulz was a library fan. This week, a special patron of the Gales Ferry Library brought us a Peanut's cartoon about librarians and a lovely treat to celebrate National Library Week. Those of us who work in libraries understand their unique place in the community and it is always nice to have that celebrated.

Hopefully you won't suffer the fate of 19th century observer, Tom Masson, who said, "Seventy million books in America's libraries, but the one you want to read is always out." If only poor Tom had known to check with his librarian. I am sure she could have gotten it for him quickly through interlibrary loan or easily recommended a similiar title.