No Loss of Words

(Image: Xosema/commons.wikimedia.org)

Almost a flip – then a flop.  Stubbed toe on that step.

Quickly she looked around.

Nobody.

No reason to feel embarrassed. Whew!

She knew she was early.

Planned it that way.

Must be first in line.

She looked thorough the wavy glass on the door – shadows or people moving there?

Nose to the door she searched.

Oh, a wave of acknowledgement from a blur.

Happy, she stepped back.

Obviously the entrance to Wonderland (Image: Rick Dikeman/commons.wikimedia.org)

OH! A nose smudge. How could she be so careless.

They didn’t mind her coming so much. They knew she was quiet and considerate. And careful

A quick swipe. There. Better.

A careful glance around. Good. Still no one.

Maybe sit a bit.

The wide stone ledge was awfully hot. There was shade and a bench down the sidewalk

But no. The door would open soon.

She perched like a nervous bird.

Better not risk it.

Welcoming Beaux Arts style. Elegant design, stairs, and benches. Sigh. (Image: public domain, 2004. Dittwald1/WIKI)

Besides it looked like someone coming.

Oh, just that boy from down the block and his mom.

YEA! He was no competition. He was too much younger to worry about.

They settled on the bench in the shade much her relief – Not feeling like small talk.

Patterns moved across the glass.

Oh, the clacks of unlocking and she bolted in past the smile.

Click. Click. Click across the old wood floors.

Wood floor with heating grate in New Orleans. (Image: Infrogmation/commons.wikimedia.org)

Speed walking, she rushed to the shelves.

No?

Whirling took her to another spot. Then another.

All no. Not there. Nothing.

She faltered, disappointed.

Resigned, she begin an aimless wandering.

A repeat would have to do, again.

Her posture betrayed the lack of enthusiasm in her heart.

Then a pair of shoes intruded in her downcast line of sight.

It was held out to her.

Some observing might have chuckled it was like she was handed the Holy Grail and angels were singing.

Here the angels sing. (Image:Wolfgang Sauber/commons.wikimedia.org)

The little green sticker on the spine proclaiming “new” – as if the unblemished cover and smell of fresh ink weren’t enough.

All the thanks the librarian needed was the smile and the rush to check the book out:

A new one. One not read yet.

And feet dancing out the door.

Now the bench in the shade was the destination. It being the closet quiet spot to begin the story.

This time the nose print was on a larger window: a window offering the world.

A tree. A bench. A book. What more is needed?
(Image: 4028mdk09/commons.wikimedia.org)

And now the moral of the story?

While you may have internet, e-readers, book stores, or even Amazon.com, many in small isolated towns do not have access or the budget to purchase.

Libraries fill a critical need for these patrons, young and old.

But all libraries are also being crushed by budget cuts.

Here’s the deal: YOU can help.

• It won’t cost you a thing
• It won’t take up much time
• It will make a huge difference

Mount Airy is a rural town (population of 10,000) in northwest North Carolina.

Downtown Mount Airy, NC (Image: 2008 pubic domain/WIKI)

Yep, it’s Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show. Really.

This town was the real life inspiration with the main street downtown still looking very much like the 1950’s.

No big box stores.

The nearest Barnes and Noble is a hour’s drive away.

The poverty rate is high.

So if it’s a choice between paying bills and buying food vs putting gas in the car and driving so the kid can buy a new expensive book that will be read one time, guess which wins.

Still everyone needs food for thought.

So? Glad you asked!

Vote for the Mount Airy Library in the Lego Company’s contest for libraries.

The winning library will receive $5,000.00.

To some that is a small prize – but to this rural town’s library, it would be a fortune.

You do not have to register, give email or any personal info

Here’s the link and the instructions: (vote once a day until Oct 1)

• Click: http://readbuildplay.com/index.cfm
• Click; “Nominate your library”
• Choose: State of North Carolina
• Select: City of Mount Airy
• VOTE: Library of Mount Airy Public Library

Children’s library shelves.
(Image:Onderwijsgek/commons.wikimedia.org)

It would be great if some of those superstar entertainers or athletes would write a matching check. This amount would be less than some spend on one night of partying – yet would leave lasting rewards rather than a mess and a headache.

Libraries in today’s economy suffer plenty of headaches and heartaches.

But No library should be at a loss of words.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

FYI. I do not live in Mount Airy. (A local library is also in the contest, but they have other options/benefactors)

Here’s someone who does live in Mount Airy: Big Sheep Blog

Multiple generations of our family benefited from the wonders of a small town Carnegie Library.

If you don’t know what those were and who built them, you should.

A man who was clearly a 1%-er who gave away 90% of his vast fortune.

I was one of the kids that ran out of books to read.

I can’t do what he did, but I can click to vote.

So can you.

“Carnegie Libraries: The Future Made Bright”, National Parks Service. article. (Teaching Historic Places lesson plans included)

“Carnegie Library”, Short history, pictures, and legacy left by Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie Library, Indiana. (Image: Rogerd/commons.wikimedia.org)

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