Libraries are enriching the community

In the spirit of National Reading Month, I thought I would drop in, stretch my “writing legs,” and provide some reading content for a change. 

My title might be Advertising Director, but if you read the article Mr. Myrick wrote about my promotion, you’ll know I have an abundance of interests—probably too many—one of which is occasionally dabbling in writing. Therefore, I am going to get a tad bit personal with you, Mountain Advocate readers (or, shall I say, Mountain Advocates?), to better introduce myself.  

The Knox County Public Library has a very special place in my heart. Growing up, my grandparents often kept me while my parents were at work and during summer break from school. My grandmother, Jackie Moran, was explicitly fond of trips to the library, and we frequented it during the summer. I remember her bringing in her pre-read issues of Woman’s Day, Woman’s World, and Southern Living once they had achieved a tall enough pile next to her recliner. She always talked about passing things on to others to enjoy. A sentiment I believe any public library embodies. Going to ours felt like a media-specific grocery trip. Stocking up for the week ahead. I can remember that my most notable favorite books to check out were the ones from the DK Eyewitness series, a visual dictionary from Star Wars: Episode One, The Phantom Menace, and (strangely enough) a Barbie Collector’s guide that showed all of the early dolls up to the 1980s - all things that nourished my varied and growing interests. 

During that time, the television in my “playroom” of my grandparents’ house relied heavily on the children’s programs on PBS or VHS tapes to be entertaining. Luckily, I could also check out all kinds of movies on VHS from our library. I rented the Robin Williams version of Jumanji so many times that it almost felt like my own personal copy. 

As an adult, viewing my childhood and hometown with a much more sentimental and aware lens, it bears stating that our little local library impacted me. As a child, I HAD plenty of books at home. But what could access to an updated and well-stocked library mean to the children, teens, adults and even seniors who don’t have as much? It’s no secret that our county has a large population struggling. And when you think about it, most of us are closer to poverty than we are to becoming millionaires. Libraries are resource hubs for communities. Providing far more than books and movies. They host various events and workshops ranging from hosting the Reptile Museum to a Lego Club to a demonstration of grafting apple trees. Something is bound to be coming up that speaks to your specific interest or, at the very least, seems useful to learn more about. 

We all should desire community enrichment. Human connection is something many folks are starving for nowadays. I could not think of something better for a town or county than a building full of books, movies, access to computers and internet connection, workshops or events available for free or low cost. We have been fortunate to have those at the helm of our Knox County Library take such an active role in revitalizing activities for our community. I genuinely hope a change can occur and we can have the facility that both the staff and the community of Knox County deserves.