For those who know me, it will come as no surprise that I chose Stephen King's words to express how I feel about books. Books can open the door to new worlds. Whether it's his epic sci-fi adventures in space or cozy mysteries set in a small town, books will inspire you, hurt you, make you think, grow, and even help you love. They are an escape, a mirror, a friend, and a necessity. Books are what made me want to become a librarian.

There are many other important aspects of my job, but my most enjoyable and fundamental job is working with and working with books. It brings me great joy to be able to connect patrons with new books, old favorites, and books they would never otherwise pick up. During difficult or stressful times, it reminds me how lucky I am to have this job.

It's a common misconception (we hope!) that we library workers read all day long. But it's no exaggeration to say that my desk has always been a fortress of books, or, depending on how high I stack them, a castle of books.These books are for people who: Book club every time you turn the pageA new program called rewards and titlesand for our display W. Ann Gibson Esmond Station Library.

When I started working here, the community asked about a book club. As Page Turns Book Club was born soon after, first virtually and now meeting both in-person and via Zoom on the third Wednesday of each month. We read contemporary novels of various genres.we are reading “Celebrants” Here's how to start the year by Stephen Lawrie. We've read historical fiction, mystery/thrillers, horror, magic realism, and more. Attendees thought they were coming to read and discuss books, but they quickly realized that the real reason they wanted to attend was to connect with other members of the community.

Our newest adult and youth program, Treats & Titles, lets you learn about the different books in our collection while enjoying a complimentary snack. We've discussed broader genres like science fiction as well as more specific topics like books set in coffee shops. Most of the highlighted titles can also be checked out immediately after the program ends. You can also receive a bookmark or flyer with the book title so you can save it for later.

One of the most fun and rewarding things for me is helping create displays. Many of our displays have been a great success, especially when they are interactive. A few years ago, when I was looking for library display ideas, I came across the idea for “Books and Blind Dates.” Every book has a heart-shaped hint wrapped around it, and patrons rely solely on that hint to choose which book to read. we decided to give it a try. And to our surprise, our community was very receptive to it. They constantly tell us how much fun it is to attend this event, whether it's finding a book they've never tried before, discovering a new author in their favorite genre, or simply the joy of opening the book itself. I will tell you. This idea is also extended to the Summer Scares and Fall Are You Afraid of the Book exhibits. Anyone can participate, regardless of age or gender, so anyone can enjoy it.

What all these programs and exhibits have in common is bringing communities together through books. I think it's best to end with another quote that encompasses the way books connect each of us. “Books are planes, trains, and roads. They are destinations and journeys. They are at home.” — Anna Quindlen