6 Ways to Support Your Local Public Library

Libraries are awesome, aren’t they? As the meme going around says: it’s the one of the few places you can go and hang out without the expectation from anyone that you should buy something. Here are a few simple ways you can support this necessary public institution.

1. Vote YES on library levies.
   The slight hike in taxes can make it possible for new buildings and much-needed renovations. Because libraries aren’t just places where you borrow books. More and more, with the changes in technology and other parts of life, libraries are becoming part community center. Which brings me to the second thing you can do:
2. Attend live events (online, too, if they have them.)
   Besides it being depressing to spend hours putting together an event for no one to attend, if an event is poorly attended, it makes it less likely for other programs to be hosted in the future.
3. Be kind to the library staff and follow rules set in place.
   If they say wear a mask, please wear one. The staff is usually asked to enforce this kind of rule, but they weren’t the ones to make the rule in the first place. They are not the ones to vent your frustration on.
4. Check out and renew items often.
   Either one is counted as a circ, which they keep track of. More circs can mean more funding in the future. Plus it might save your favorite book/movie/CD/what-have-you from being discarded.
5. Volunteer.
   You could read shelves (making certain the books are in order according to the Dewey Decimal System/alphabet), straighten shelves, help with story times or summer reading programs.
6. Interact with your library’s social media accounts.
   When you interact with their Facebook, their Insta, their Twitter, that engagement is encouraging and creates more visibility for them. Because when you comment/like/share, your friends will see the post and perhaps share with their following.
   
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   When was the last time you were at your local public library? What are some ways you can think of to support them?
   
   Keep your nose in a book,
   Beth
   
   P.S. Tomorrow I’ll be at the Avon Lake Public Library from 1:00 to 3:30 selling and signing books. If you’re in the area, please stop by and say hi!