Why I love the library

I worked the first Sunday of the season at the Main Branch today. We are open every Sunday at the Main Branch from 1:00pm to 4:00pm from the week after Thanksgiving to the Sunday before Mother's Day each year. Please note that the McCormick library is not open on Sundays (or Mondays). Today is the day that I realized how much people really appreciate and love the library. Today is the day that made me think about why I love the library.

Being the first Sunday that we were open of the season, I was expecting it to be a little quieter than usual. After all, not everyone as yet knows that we're regularly open on Sundays. As we opened the doors today, there was a crowd of people of all different ages, backgrounds and walks of life outside the doors waiting to come in. A patron had said to me during a busy time today “Wow, this really shows you how much people really love the library when you see how many people are here on a Sunday”. When I looked around, I knew it was true. We don't normally go to the library because we have to be here, we go because we want to be here. Now who wouldn't love the library? There's truly something at the Library for everyone, and here are some great reasons:

(1) Tons and tons of books : For those book lovers, we have virtually every popular title available for loan at the library. We have all the books on the New York Times and Globe and Mail bestseller list shown at www.wpl.ca. Check out WPL's bestseller list of titles that have been ordered from popular authors of soon-to-be published titles!! Holds are recommended for these titles as they are immensely popular!! Also, if you're looking for a particular book that isn't available at WPL, a librarian can often request a book to be sent to the WPL from another library.

(2) Kids and Tween Programs : This program is for those who have children and tweens in their household. Tweens are older kids that are not quite teens yet, in between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. WPL has a huge variety of free programs for kids, from story writing, knitting or quilting for tweens to programs with storytime or crafts for children as young as three months old. The Main library and McCormick branch both have programs each month. A list of programs is published at www.wpl.ca or you could pick up a program calendar available at both the Main library and McCormick branch.

(3) Local History: Would you like to learn a little about the history of Waterloo? At the main branch, the Ellis Little local history room, named after the late distinguished local historian, is available during regular library hours. In this room you have access to items such as newspaper clippings, photos, government records, memorabilia, Waterloo historical society annual volumes as well as a number of collections.

(4) Research Tools : For students who are doing research, WPL has numerous resources including in-library use reference books, magazines, and many online databases accessible from either in the library or at home through www.wpl.ca.

(5) Seminars for Adults : Currently on Tuesday evenings, WPL and University of Waterloo's Faculty of the Arts is hosting free thought provoking lectures on a number of topics until December 9th. We're also hosting a number of technical seminars each Monday evening until November 17th. McCormick in partnership with the YMCA is also hosting free conversation circles for newcomers and adults looking to improve their conversational English skills and socialize on Wednesday nights. Please call for information about any of these programs.

(6) Our Local Branch Library – McCormick : The McCormick branch library on Parkside Drive is in the same complex as the Albert McCormick arena. Although we are a small neighbourhood branch, we carry a large variety of children's materials as well as several popular current titles and authors. Although sometimes you may not be able to find a particular book at the McCormick branch, items from the main branch are always available to be placed on hold to be picked up at McCormick. Many patrons prefer our little neighbourhood branch where we have friendly staff, terrific children's programs, and free parking!!

Honestly, I could go on and on with reasons to love the library. With all the items that I've already listed plus all the different types of media available through the library (DVDs, music CDs, downloadable audiobooks, language kits and free internet access), what's not to love? It's really no wonder that our memberships go up each year in spite of all the information that is now readily available on the internet.

For me, I have always loved the library. I love the smell of the books, I especially love the children's books. Browsing for books for my own kids brings me back to a time when I was looking for books for myself when I was young. We all have our own personal reasons why we love the library. Maybe the next time you're in the the library you'll remember why you love the library, or maybe you don't need to be reminded. Hope to see you soon...maybe on a Sunday.

Nancy