The Library Report: Prompt: Surprise

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Prompt: Surprise

I will not hide my tastes or aversions. I will so trust that what is deep is holy, if we follow the truth, it will bring us out safe at last. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

1.Think of a time when you didn’t think you were capable of doing something, but then surprised yourself.
2. How will you surprise yourself this week?

There are many times when I thought myself not capable and then managed to do something. Things that everyone around me in a million years would never have expected me to do and yet I still managed to do in spite of the naysayers and detractors. The two I am most proud of are quitting smoking and running a marathon. I think the first marathon was the hardest and the third the most glorious. Both of those things surprised the living daylights out of me when I finished.

I don't know how I will surprise myself this week. If I did it wouldn't be a surprise. I am traveling this week to a meeting that is somewhat intimidating as it is all international health and C-level partners in the company as I stand in for my VP. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to learn as much as I can. I am also very nervous about opening my mouth and saying the wrong thing. Who knows I might make the right connection!

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What this is all about...

I love reading. I love books. I want to instill that same love of reading and books in my son.

I currently live in California in a city that is slowly killing the public library. The excuse is budget deficit and recession.

This is the one resource throughout the year that all people can utilize and especially those hit hard by economic downturns. It is the refuge for those too poor to afford air conditioning in the summer. It is the source of reading hours and literacy growth for many. The library is where people can access online job boards and free internet. The books are lent for three weeks for FREE, unless of course you are like me and rack up late fees of 10 cents a day.

I do not understand how reducing the hours the library is open affects the budget in any way shape or form. How about cutting resources that do not directly affect the education, the support and the community connections that are so desperately needed in an economic downturn. The school system here is already horrible and for parents who want to help their children be the best students they can this is the one resource that is free and accessible.

I will be watching carefully the changes to public libraries around the country and in my own city. I will also be writing about the books my family checks out from the library and our reviews of those books.