I love libraries. Don’t get me wrong, I also love bookstores with their dazzling displays, massive selections of literary paraphernalia, and coffee cafes, but there is something special about a simple library. They are comforting, magical spaces. My rosy view probably has something to do with my favorite childhood memories of summer Saturdays spent browsing the small rural library in the community where I grew up. It was a place where I found hours of peace and entertainment. I never walked home empty handed. 

Fast forward a few decades and the Pastor of my church, with an active congregation of about thirty people, was looking for ways to expand our reach into the community. He tasked us to find ideas, or offer suggestions, for services that might fill the needs of our neighbors. My husband, an English major with a Masters Degree, and I, a former teacher, who own more books than we can count, immediately had a plan.

The nearest library to us was the next town over, about twenty minutes away and the community surrounding us had a lot of older people who lacked exposure to social activities. Our church building had an empty room. The perfect space to be filled with books. The cozy room with its old wood floors had loads of gathering potential. What better way to build a sense of connection than to spark conversations over a great story. Thus, our Community Room and Library was born. 

We put out a call that very week for book donations and went through our own personal collections, which turned out to be about a quarter of our library’s offerings when we opened. Hours were spent building bookshelves and as the donations came flooding in, we spent more hours filling them. I was in love with the space and so proud of getting books into the hands of readers. It was exciting to provide a magical, comforting space to those searching for something to do and somewhere to go. It was especially satisfying when parents brought their children in and their faces lit up. It’s now one of my favorite places to hang out.

Of course, as time passed, we couldn’t have a library without a monthly book club. Our seven member club is in its third year. We’re not a big group, but we all come from a variety of backgrounds and have a great spectrum of reading preferences. Our book choices have covered a wide array of novels, some of which I never would have read on my own, but ended up enjoying. We are building friendships, one book at a time!

I hope that as you stop by to visit my site for writing updates and blog posts, you will also follow this page and the journey of our little library and book club.