Coming to the Library

I've been coming to the library for about 44 years. I am a reading aficionado and to me the library holds the biggest treasure. Imagine getting to bring books home for free! I love it.

Enjoying My Summer

My favorite library memory is really a collection of memories. Though I was brought to the Wheelersburg location often as a child, it was when I grew up a bit that I really started to appreciate the library. It was the summer after my first year at college that my attendance skyrocketed. I would go, what felt like every day. I would scan the shelves or sit and read the magazines. It was that summer that I learned I could get a book from any location with just a few clicks on the computer, and it made me feel so cool. It was like the library belonged to just me. I have never had a summer that I have read so many books. Even if it was for just half an hour, my time spent at the library was my “me” time. It was quiet and I could enjoy any topic I wanted. That summer the Wheelersburg Branch became my own personal getaway.

Paperbacks in the Mail

When I was young Oval would sent out flyers that said if you would like to get paperbacks to read through the mail just send in the pamphlet and they would place an order of what books you like and mail them to you. I loved this. I would order books all the time until the program was stopped due to funding.

Gloomy Saturdays

When I was growing up my sister and I always went to the library with my grandma on Saturdays. Each one was always a great trip but if it happened to be a rainy, gloomy day the library was definitely the best place to be. We found our books, found a nice cozy spot to sit, and we would read for hours until we had to pack up and go home.

Science Fairs...Yuck!!!

I can remember when I was in Jr. Highschool, the dread of when it came time for the annual science fair. Science was just okay, in my opinion, but if you did a project you would always get extra credit! So, I can recall every year, my mother dragging me into the Lucasville branch and checking out books for some unique project ideas. The staff was always so helpful and they always helped to give me some good ideas and get me a little more excited about doing a science project! I'm very greatful looking back on my memories that I had adults that cared so much about helping me better my educational experiences!

A Typical Library Day

Every time I come into the library I am met by smiling faces and friendly greetings. The library is never in short supply of the things I am looking for (books) and if I have a question, I know there is someone there who can answer it. It's a joy to come here and never a chore. I wish I had more time to spend in the library.

A Boy Named Sean

Well, I work here at the Portsmouth Public Library as a Children's Librarian. A few months back I was at a meeting and a little boy named Sean came up to me and gave me a big hug. Now this is nothing unusual because i have had this young man in many of my storytimes and we have danced, sang and read lots of books together. He especially loves the song "Tooty Ta". Anyway, at that meeting, Sean came up to me and told me that his teacher had put him in the highest reading group in his class. I said "Sean I am so proud of you. You are such a smart boy and i know how much you love to read." At that moment, he turned to me and said, " It's because of you". Well needless to say tears where running down my face. My job is the most wonderful job a person could have and I feel blessed to get to come and read to your children everyday. I love reading and I love reading to them, So, that is my favorite library memory.

When I Grow Up

One of my recent favorite memories is working on the Bookmobile at a school stop. A teacher had brought out her special needs class and as the children were making their selections one little boy came up with a book about planets and one about the milky way. He was saying he loved the planets and I asked if he was going to be an astronaut when he grew up, he said yeah. Another little boy must have been listening to our conversation because he came up and said he wanted to be a cop when he got older so he could eat donuts.

Childhood Memory

When I was young, I thought the Bookmobile was the most amazing thing...pink hardback copies of Nancy Drew driven right to the front doors of my elementary school! I simply handed over an orange card with a metal grid and those books were mine for awhile. Now, all grown up, I feel that same thrill when I see the Bookmobile on its way to amaze another child.

Saturday Mornings

When I was a little girl my mother would take me to the library on Saturday mornings. Although I enjoy searching for books, I was always trying to sneak a peek through the huge double doors that lead to the other side of the library. As the doors swung back and forth I would see rays of sunlight streaming through large windows. The light would dance across the marble floor, illuminating the wood that adorned the walls then gently settling over the shelves and book bindings. As a teen, I entered through the library's front doors, and received my first teen library card. The sunlight was streaming through the large windows making its way across the floor, over the shelves and rested on the books. After a long deliberation and with the assistance of the Librarian I made my selection. So memorable was this experience that more than 35 years later I can recall the smell, the highly polished wood and the sun’s rays that shimmered through the windows. I still enjoy reading a book when the sunlight is streaming through the windows.