The library is a magical place. Sometimes, as a librarian, I forget this. I get caught up in emails, meetings, and reports and forget what all of those things actually help to accomplish. The tagline that you’ll be seeing a lot during the fall months here at JCLS is “Find the Magic,” and we did that to show you (and maybe to remind us) how magical our libraries can be. Let me explain.
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. Now, of course, you can get a library card any time, but since 1987, Library Card Sign-Up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year, and libraries across the country unite in a national effort to ensure that every child signs up for their own library card (but we think all adults should have one too!) Having a library card is like having a key that unlocks all the magical things the library offers: books, movies, magazines, video games, databases, etc.
Also in the fall is Banned Books Week. Banning books is unmagical, but Banned Books Week offers patrons opportunities to learn about the Freedom to Read Act, intellectual freedom, or deep conversations about tough topics. These opportunities to learn and grow are magical.
Suppose the school in your area doesn’t offer the Oregon Battle of the Books program. That’s okay, because here at JCLS, you can participate in the Unofficial Battle of the Books! JCLS’ Unofficial Battle uses the current book lists provided through Oregon Battle of the Books. Read books, earn badges, and have fun! Providing this program to all the people of Jackson County is pretty magical.
Finally, we have some fantastical and magical programs lined up for the Fall quarter: special storytimes, dragon night lights, magic 8 ball making, and constellation art are just some of the programs we’re offering in the coming months.
So as fall is coming in, and you’re getting back into your routines, and hunkering down in preparation for winter (which at the library will be pretty delightful, but that’s a topic for another time), I hope that you allow yourself some time to find the magic that we have to offer you.