ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – April 19 – 25 is National Library Week, and local libraries across the country are celebrating the impact they have on their communities.
“It’s a chance for us to talk about what we do, to remind our community why we’re here, and hopefully to kind of demonstrate that libraries continue to be vibrant, dynamic, public spaces that are part of our social fabric and really have some strong contributions to make to community wellbeing,” said Escanaba Public Library Director Carolyn Stacey.
Stacey says that, particularly in rural areas, libraries serve as community hubs.
“People can come together to connect around ideas, opportunities, information,” she said. “We offer varieties of opportunities for enrichment, whether that’s people pursuing their creativity and curiosity independently or they’re part of a group or by attending one of our arts and cultural programs.”
That programming includes upcoming events like a morel mushroom hunting presentation on April 28, a Michigan poetry reading on May 13, and an author talk with James McCommons on May 20. In the summer, the library hosts an outdoor concert series, a Friends of the Library ice cream social, and other public activities.
The library also offers resources that some people may not know about. Through the “library of things,” cardholders can check out cake pans, fishing poles, public address systems, iPads, telescopes, and other items. Additionally, library staff offer support with day-to-day tasks.
“Printing a return label for UPS or FedEx, helping somebody get online to access some government services, connecting them online with a potential employer for an interview,” Stacey said. “Those are all things that we do on a daily basis in our increasingly digital world. People can reserve a private space for a telehealth appointment, for a variety of videoconferencing needs.”
The Escanaba Public Library currently serves about 9,000 cardholders. Stacey says what many of those patrons appreciate most about the library is the human connection they make within its walls.
“People can come here and expect that they are going to be seen and heard by an actual individual,” she said. “Whether it’s somebody looking for a new author to explore, maybe they want to start a family history project, there are people here who are going to listen to you and help you get what you need.”
This National Library Week, Stacey encourages patrons to visit what she calls “a haven for a fast-paced world.”
“We have a lovely space here,” she said. “It belongs to everyone in the community. People can come here with no expectation of having to spend anything, just enjoy the space, explore our resources, discover something new, and just relax and be. I think that’s an important thing today.”
To learn more about services and events at the Escanaba Public Library, visit escanabalibrary.org or follow the library on Facebook.
