I’ve never been a big believer in coincidences. While something may seem accidental or random, I’ve always enjoyed the idea that there may be a little bit of magic behind it. Most of us have many interests and pursuits and lives, so to speak, and it can be helpful to keep them neatly wrapped in […]
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, art is a “skill; its display, application, or expression.” And, it is all around us. We see it in the pages of books, on street corners and the sides of buses, on display in buildings and homes, and even create it ourselves. Libraries themselves are havens for art and […]
As writers, we are consistently drawing inspiration from and making connections to the events in our lives. Everyday interactions and momentous occasions can cause a ripple effect, leading us down a new path of adventure and wonderment. Over the past year or two, I’ve gotten married, earned a Master’s degree, purchased my first home and […]
Some call us wizards or the keepers of knowledge. Superheroes, geniuses, guides and human search engines – we’ve heard it all. I recently earned my master’s degree and, when it came in the mail, it read “Master of Information.” This got me thinking, what makes us, librarians, the masters of information? Yes, the years of […]
When I was a little girl, my grandfather gave me a copy of Richard Henry Dana, Jr.’s “Two Years Before the Mast.” This wasn’t his favorite book, in fact, he had never read it. Its sole purpose was to put a smile on my face when I saw the singular word written across the spine, […]
My grandmother came from a very large family, one that I knew very little about. Growing up, she has told me stories here and there, including those about her oldest brother who fought and lost his life in WWII. She never mentioned more than that because, as it turns out, she never really knew what […]
Painful, scary, worrisome and difficult. These are a few of the many words that come to mind when I think about some of the recent events in this country. This has been a time of challenges for all people, but it has been especially hard for our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers, sisters, friends […]
We’re almost a month into the new year and, just like during any other, I find myself thinking about what I want to accomplish. Of all I have to look forward to this year, a wedding and earning a Masters’ degree, all I can think about are the books I want to read. My reading […]
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” ― Jorge Luis Borges As librarians, we’re natural-born readers who eat, sleep and breathe books. So, it should come as no surprise that the library where we work feels more like a cozy home, surrounded by our favorite things, rather than a job. […]
I’ve always considered myself an introvert, placing value in my time alone. But during our new norm consisting of self-isolation and social distancing, I’ve found myself reaching out to others, craving conversation and social interaction. We are lucky today because we have so many formats in which we can talk to or even see our […]
The stay-at-home orders have been in place for close to two months and, in a way, it feels like it is only the beginning of a new reality. I worry about my health and safety of those close to me. I’m nervous to go to the grocery store and wonder if they will even have […]
These last few years have been filled with inspirational female voices. From the Women’s March and #MeToo, to political powerhouses like Nancy Pelosi, Elizabeth Warren, and Hillary Clinton, women have made it clear that their opinions matter and they intend to be heard. I learned from Marie Curie, Grace Hopper, and Rosalind Franklin. I devoured […]
Am I good enough? What’s wrong with me? These questions, along with constant nervousness, stem from the paralyzing anxiety I deal with every day. Social situations can prove to be difficult and worrying about the smallest task is all too common. Struggling with anxiety is no easy task. It can cause me to lose focus, […]
With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I can’t help but count my blessings. As I consider what I am most thankful for this holiday season, my family and friends first come to mind. I’m also grateful to be surrounded by books and fellow bibliophiles every day at the library. I loved to read as a child […]
The world we live in can be a scary one, filled with what can seem like endless trauma and fear. This is just one of the many reasons why books are so important. There is a certain power that comes with reading. The simple act can instill knowledge, create and change emotions, and immerse us […]
I’m sure we can all agree that life can quickly become busy and overwhelming. Between wedding planning and graduate school, any extra money I have lately is spoken for, which makes trying to personalize and decorate my new home a bit challenging. Thankfully, the library has just begun to offer free access to Creativebug, a […]
Is there any time of the year that’s better than spring? Flowers are blooming, the weather is finally warm and it feels as if the entire world is smiling. One of my favorite authors said it best: “When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest.” And me? […]
Drama, intrigue and excitement – words commonly used to describe a good book or story. But, they are also synonymous with great sporting events. Many people are not interested in sports and see them as boring or too “macho” but the reality is nothing like the stereotype. They are filled with thrilling victories, crushing defeats […]
I adore books. I love the crisp, clean pages of a new release, the way a small paperback fits perfectly in your purse, even the old, musty smell of a great library book. Because of this infatuation, I have a long list of books on my “To Be Read” list – 162 books to be […]
As Mason Cooley once said, “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” From Hogwarts and Narnia to East Egg and the Pequod, books have the power to transport us to different times and cities, even an alternate universe. As an avid reader, I most enjoy books that show […]
Whether we realize it or not, we’re all writers. We text our mothers or partners to tell them we will be late for dinner or, in my case, write posts for the library’s blog. From books and articles to texts and emails, we all recognize the power of the written word. It can be utilized to […]
Many people believe libraries to be antiquated and, with the invention of the internet and e-readers, to serve little purpose. That couldn’t be further from the truth. When I decided that I wanted to be a librarian, quite a few people were perplexed as to why. Why did I want to do that? Is that […]
As an avid reader, my home is filled with books. Whether it is one bookshelf or five or a coffee table made out of stacks, there are piles of books in every nook and cranny. Old copies and new copies, leather-bound and paperbacks, first or signed editions, not yet read or spines broken from love, […]
With Valentine’s Day approaching, I began thinking about the different types of love in my life. My family and friends, various pets, my job, traveling and exploring new places and, of course, books. Books were my first love and will always be the greatest love of my life. In them, I have learned magic at […]
“No one that I ever knew was nicer to me…she was delightful and charming and welcoming and behind her, as high as the wall and stretching out into the back room which gave onto the inner court of the building, were shelves and shelves of the wealth of the library.” -Ernest Hemingway, A MOVEABLE FEAST If […]
October means something a little different for everyone. For some, it is the start of fall and everything pumpkin spice. For others, it is scary costumes and one step closer to the holiday season. But for me, October signifies Major League Baseball’s postseason. Having been a sports fan since I was a child, I have […]
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