How Can Libraries Enrich their Communities?

As a writer, I tend not to write unless I am faced with a deadline. As an artist, I find myself sometimes apprehensive to produce when I have faced criticism from people I respect. Defense mechanisms.

But I have decided to impose deadlines on myself. To think critically and find a productive means of expressing these thoughts---perhaps generate dialogue and not live alone in my head with my compulsive overthinking habits.

I suppose that was a roundabout way of saying sorry for neglecting this page for the last few years.

Where are we now and where did I see myself 3 years ago?

Storytimes, of course!

Whimsical voices, teaching children engaged listening skills and reading comprehension and endless Raffi tunes.

This happened. I did and still do story times regularly and thoroughly enjoy the events. I hope to establish the reputation of "the crazy library lady who used to read us cat books and wear weird skirts when I was little." Isn't that what we all want? To be the reason someone still loves going to the library years later?

But it's so much more than that and it is so far beyond me!

Thomas Merton once said, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."

Isn't this the truth?

I enjoy stippling. I enjoy purposefully and tediously placing .03mm dots-by-dots onto a blank page until I have something figurative. It helps me tune into my thoughts but keeps me present with the task at the same time.

I coordinate a weekly event for kids called Wee Artists. I give the group a template, the supplies and let them have at it. I can't tell you the joy it brings to these 3-year-old kids to be able to customize their paper caterpillar with glitterbrows and pom pom buttons. They feel empowered. This is something they MADE!

And still we're facing huge federal budget cuts to the arts and humanities. A number of schools are phasing out art class altogether. Where does this leave us?

For me, it leaves us with the task of upkeeping the relevance of arts in the library and in the private sector. We have to insist how important it is for toddlers, teens, and kids of all ages to express themselves by way of glitter, markers and crayons. This stuff is just as important as math and science. Please keep it alive in any way you can.