A couple of weeks ago I had the fun privilege of speaking at the Rauchholz Library in Hemlock not too far from where I live. Though it’s a small building set in a small town, there’s nothing small about the heart of this particular library.
In fact, I’d say the Rauchholz Library, its librarians, and the many patrons who frequent the library have very BIG hearts for reading and are taking BIG steps to spread the love of books.
First, I was inspired by BillieJo, the director of the library. She exuded so much enthusiasm, knowing her patrons and chatting with them by name, organizing books to make searches easier, and truly caring about getting people excited about being in her library.
One creative way she appeals to children is by having a library elf named Clarence who “hides” around the library. When children come in, they love searching high and low to find Clarence, never knowing where he’ll show up. Here are just few of Clarence’s hiding places!
Second, I also met Michele who has started nine lending libraries in communities throughout central Michigan. She and her husband have donated their resources, energy, and time to build the beautiful boxes that then they put in parks and other centrally located places.
Not only that, but Michele keeps the lending libraries stocked with books that she collects as donations or purchases at used book sales. Children and adults alike are benefiting from her devotion to spreading the love of reading!
While I only spent a couple of hours at the Rauchholz Library and the amazing ladies there, I came away inspired and challenged to look for ways I can do more to actively share my passion for reading and books among my community.
Let’s face it, our current culture is drawing the hearts and minds of people away from books to the flashier and more fast-paced entertainment found on screens. Those of us who love books often throw up our hands in frustration and discouragement at the growing ambivalence toward reading.
In some ways, I believe if we want to “save” the love of reading and books from becoming even more antiquated and irrelevant, we can take encouragement from the Rauchholz Library folks who are making reading fun and available and relevant.
Thank you BillieJo and Michele! You’re an inspiration to us all!
What are YOU doing to spread the love of reading? What are some other ways we can promote the love of books?
Jody Hedlund
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I became a Book Fairy to share my love of reading. If you search #ibelieveinbookfairies on Instagram, you’ll find a world of readers who are sharing books by placing them in public locations for others to find. It’s great fun! I just recently took some of my favorite books on a cruise and left them in ports of call as well as the ship’s library.
Oh I love the idea of being a bookfairie! I will check out your instagram for some ideas! Thank you for sharing that!
Dear Jody,
You might say I have been spreading the love of reading all my life.
I’m an avid reader who volunteers in the Church Library and have for 40 years.
Our mascot of the library is Clarrise who is a ceramic bookworm.
One way to spread the love of reading around is to start reading to our children when they are very young. My great niece loves books and she isn’t even two years old.
Hi Janet, I’m a church librarian too! I love the idea of having a mascot! Maybe I’ll have to borrow your idea of instituting a bookworm! And I agree about reading to children–it’s key in developing a love of reading!
Jody,
I had no idea that you are a church librarian too.
Our ceramic bookworm was made by Miss Pat who worked in the library for 55+ years. The church library is 75 years young and at one time we were the biggest church library in the Southeast US.
You would love Clarrise. She is green, has false eyelashes, and a jewel in place of a belly button.
My great niece is ahead of other children her age especially in the vocabulary skills.
Thanks for responding.
Sounds like a wonderful library! I love how they are spreading the joy of books and reading with their community.
I love to spread the love of reading by donating my children’s book, “Licky the Lizard” to area “Little Library” boxes. Several local neighborhoods have these free libraries where you can go and pick out a book to read for free. Return the book when you are finished and choose another. I love seeing people walking by our home with bags of books to donate and to read. I have made new friendships by chatting with the people on their way to the “Little Library”. 🙂
Such great suggestions! I support my favorite authors by influencing for them. I review on retail sites and goodreads. I got on Twitter to be able to support Christian Fiction.
I’m a 6th grade language arts teacher by day, mom blogger by night. Somewhere along the way I started to receive books to review. After I finish the books, I take them to school to share with my students and other teachers. It’s been such a blessing and a wonderful way to build relationships.
This afternoon I got back from a 3 day/2 night camping trip with 240 of our 6th graders. Several of my students showed me the book they brought to read during the trip. I was so proud to see them reading for fun!
I live in n northern California and many of our cities have lending libraries mostly in parks. I found some great books. One lady built one in my neighborhood down the street And it is great. I love them!
Since I retired from teaching, I have been busy sorting through all of my teaching materials and books, gradually dispensing them to people I think will benefit from them. After teaching preschool for 8 years, then ending with 23 years of teaching 5th graders, I have accumulated many books from picture books through youth, ages 9-14. My grandchildren have received many books, and last September I donated five boxes of books to my granddaughter’s elementary school. Still passing books on to my friends and their children. I didn’t realize how many I had.
Greetings from a traveling reader in Edinburgh! It’s a wonderful city with a rich literary heritage. My 1st visit was in 2016 so I wanted to revisit. Already I’ve bought a few books as souvenirs of my time in the city.