When you hear the word “library,” what do you see in your imagination? I’m guessing you see lots and lots of books. Maybe there’s comfortable places to sit and read, and it’s probably really quiet. The only events that happen there are story times and book clubs. But wait! I also see computers, DVDs, and puzzles. I see families laughing and children learning about science. I see groups meeting about local issues and people getting help applying for jobs. I see my community.
Whenever I share what’s happening here at Steele Memorial Library with someone, I hear some version of, “You do that at the library?” Wayne County Public Library’s mission is to strengthen our community by bringing people together to explore, discover, and connect. Yes, we have story times, but we also play with toys together afterwards so that the children can explore the world around them and learn social skills. At the same time, their parents and grandparents get to connect with new friends. The school-aged children and teens join us to make crafts, play games, and do science experiments, not because we want to be their second classroom, but because we want to be a place where our young patrons feel safe to discover and make mistakes and laugh and grow. Yes, we have a book club for our adult patrons, but we also exercise together, learn how to use computers and other technology, and meet local community members who teach us about everything from gardening to scuba diving, because one of the best parts of being an adult is exploring and discovering new passions while making connections with strangers become neighbors become friends.
Your library is quiet and loud. Your library is books and big ideas. Your library is laughter and compassion. Your library is our small community and our big, wide world. How fantastic is that?! Feel free to stop by, call us at 919-299-8105, or check out our website, wcpl.org, for more details about events happening at all of the Wayne County Public Library branches.
Dr. Lauren Saeger is branch manager/Children’s & Humanities Librarian at Steele Memorial in Mount Olive, a member of the Wayne County Public Library System. The library is located at 119 W. Main St. | Mount Olive. She can be reached at 919.299.8105, ext. 8004.