October is Michigan Library Appreciation Month, and to celebrate, we wanted to hear stories directly from our library users. We asked PDL patrons to share how their library experiences have impacted them, both in expected and unexpected ways.
One patron, Carolyn, wrote, “When I became a mother, I made certain my children had library cards, joined summer reading and visited frequently.” She continued, “My daughter worked part-time in our local public library as a teen and while in college as a student. I am proud to say she is now a professional children’s librarian in a local public library, encouraging children to be curious and avid readers.”
Lifelong library user James said, “Over the last five years, the library has become a home away from home as I build and continue to run my solo consulting business,” He added, “There is a core constituency of ‘alone together’ library users who come regularly to work. We don’t know each other, but we work in community and in support.”
James went on to explain that the library is an essential resource for “deep-focused” work, but also the place for quiet conference calls and white-boarding sessions, “A big part of my business is earning my client’s trust through leadership. Because of the library’s diverse focus, I can always find a spot on the second floor to run a successful business.”
Patron Melissa shared that prior to using her local library, she didn’t know about Seed Libraries and their impact on the community. She wrote, “I have grown Zinnias, Sunflowers, and more from seeds I got from the PDL Seed Library. What a great way to share resources with our community!”
Library user Michael wrote to us explaining how the library has improved his life in a variety of ways. “There’s been many programs I have been able to take my kids to and is another place for them to play.” He continued, “I have been able to go there during power outages. I have used the printers there many times. It has motivated me to read more. I also love the amount of books, films, and video games I get to choose from, both physical and digital.”
We love hearing stories about your experiences with our library! If you’d like to share your memories, experiences, or positive library interactions with us, fill out the form here.