I just found out that the entire month of February is dedicated to those of us who love whole buildings devoted to the reading, housing, organizing, categorizing, finding, studying and otherwise loving books. It’s National Library Lover’s Month!
Why Love Your Library?
What other place do you know where you can access so much knowledge and information for free?
Libraries provide so much more than a place for us to enjoy great novels or to discover amazing adventures and untold history. Yes, they help us research things and provide us with free internet access.
They lend not only books but music and movies. You can get all of these items in digital form also.
Rotating art displays give local artists exposure to the community. Larger libraries provide preservation services, preserving some of the most treasured books, periodicals and documents for future generations.
For preschoolers, libraries entertain them with theater and hands-on activities exposing them to music, art and their first friendships. Many communities rely on their libraries for meeting space for public forums, socials, fundraisers and classes.
And they offer interesting shows like the one I present, Patrick Smith’s Florida is A Land Remembered.
How To Observe
Here are some great ways to observe this month:
1) Visit your library and check out all they have to offer. While you’re there, check out a book, DVD, CD or find a quiet spot to enjoy a magazine or newspaper.
2) Attend one of my free presentations of Patrick Smith’s Florida is A Land Remembered. You can catch a show at any of the following libraries:
| 2/18/20 | 11 a.m. | Bradford County Public Library, Starke (Free admission) |
| 2/20/20 | 6:30 p.m. | |
| 2/24/20 | 7 p.m. | |
| 2/25/20 | 6 p.m. | |
| 2/26/20 | 1 p.m. | Millhopper Branch Library, Gainesville (Free admission) |
| 2/26/20 | 5 p.m. | Hawthorne Branch Library, Hawthorne (Free admission) |
| 2/27/20 | 5 p.m. | Newberry Branch Library, Newberry (Free admission) |
| 3/3/20 | 2 p.m. | Destin Library, Destin (Free admission) |
| 3/6/20 | 10:30 a.m. | Corinne Costin Gibson Library, Port St. Joe (Free admission) |
| 3/7/20 | 3 p.m. | Eau Gallie Library, Melbourne (Free admission) |
| 3/10/20 | 6 p.m. | Lake Wales Arts Center, Lake Wales (Free admission) |
| 3/12/20 | 3:30 p.m. | Merritt Island Library, Merritt Island (Free admission but you must contact the Reference Desk to get your ticket) |
*This is not my entire schedule. I’ll be presenting at other places in Florida. Go here to check out the entire schedule.
3) Get a library card if you don’t have one.
4) Consider volunteering your time.
5) Join your local library’s Friends of the Library organization.
6) Many libraries offer book stores where they sell donated new and used books and magazines and other media such as DVDs and CDs at incredible prices. Buy a book and/or donate ones you no longer want.
7) Use #NationalLibraryLoversDay to share on social media.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t been to your local library for awhile, now is the perfect month to visit!
Also, I hope to see you at one of my shows!
