The Public Library: Youth Leadership Month Recalls Early Memories in February

During adolescence, I read a lot of popular fiction (along with some other genres). My family regularly visited the library. Once per week, Mom would take us to spend some memorable, valuable time hanging out among the woody, carpeted rooms with their brown shelves and wooden furniture.

The reliable, earthen smell of the library was always the first official welcome after ascending the front, stone steps and crossing the welcoming foyer that buffered the protected climate inside from the outside temperatures and noise. The next official welcome might be the person behind the front desk, politely-- quietly-- nodding with a smile. Regardless, the experience quickly became the cloaking, rich atmosphere of connoisseur-worthy odors and low noise conducive to getting to know oneself through the experiences of world and its inhabitants-- aspects of which were held right under the roof of the library.

Less often, as possible, we'd go with Dad to the mall (out of town during those years) and there have access to the likewise smelly, but new, books and other unforgettable bookstore content. The contrasts between libraries and bookstores make every difference to the reader in determining which venue is the one for the day's visit. Bookstores and public libraries both are important to communities.

A library surely must be one of the best places for kids to spend time. It's a quiet place that suggests contemplation . . . of anything you want! The trick is to realize that there are no limits to one's curiosity in the public library. Plus, there's never pressure to buy.

There should be freedom to explore. This certainly must be some of the most valuable self-actualization time available to a child or adolescent. The atmosphere of a public library invites individual interest to blossom, and to do so in the direction that appeals to it, if open to the sensory experiences of the library. We should take advantage of appropriate group activities, of course. However, it's important that a person is able to acquaint themselves to the atmosphere on their own terms. Otherwise, that personal connection to the entity may not develop. 

My hope today is that Youth Leadership Month every February be a time when we particularly remember our local libraries and bookstores for at least a day or two during the month. Some ideas:

• host a youth book drive for donation to libraries (an awareness campaign)
• offer a library tour complete w/ membership to at-risk youth (who would then have access to return visits)
• use public library meeting space for your YLM project (along with their other tools)
• host a field trip to a bookstore and let your writing pupils pick a new notebook or journal (it may be helpful to have a supply of complimentary journals for those who cannot buy, or when you don't want the trip centered around purchase obligations)
• babysit a niece or nephew who don't do libraries or bookstores? Introduce them
• start a book club involving youth and use a local public library or bookstore as the venue

Those of us in positions of youth leadership now have a great opportunity to take a little time this February to highlight something about the benefits of a public library to its community. Likewise, it might be interesting to get kids and youth thinking about what they might do differently the next time they're in a bookstore.

If we can create these memorable experiences for our youth, then they are better able to rely on themselves . . . to lay their fingers on a familiar story or a solution to a problem. What better way to create a healthy society than to ensure that the individuals of that society are able to access basic resources and information, even when they don't have access to mobile phones, computers or internet connections. How better to offer an edge to youth of all communities, than to ensure their access to modern technology, books, periodicals and education programs available through our public libraries and bookstores.

Books-Bookstore-Library-Reading via Pixabay and memyselfaneye