As “Back to School” time has arrived and Summer ends, the stores are full of people buying school supplies, and the excitement, or dread, of schoolwork begins to rise. For some, the schoolwork includes stories, novels, and/or plays to be read and discussed over this new school year. While a challenge for many, and even a hardship for some, this assigned reading can open the doorway to building a stronger community and making an impact on the future.
The current bulletin board in the lobby of the Bracken County Public Library says, “Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader.”, and this is proven true again and again all around us. Not only is reading necessary skill for life, but reading also develops a vast array of traits and abilities within the reader. Among these are critical thinking, rich imagination, improved focus, and increased empathy. These traits and abilities are vital for all leadership roles, whether serving in a public office or working in the background in a community group or agency.
Priceless fiction classics like “Les Misérables”, “The Count of Monte Cristo”, and “Silas Marner” provide insights on history, economics, justice, and more. Readers young and old can gain better understanding of people and the world through books on past and current cultures like “The Ranger’s Apprentice” series, “House Made of Dawn”, :The Wednesday Wars”, and “The Lost Ryu”. Reading broadens creativity and deepens compassion through these novels and other entertaining books like “The Giver”, “Lockwood & Co.” series, and “Chronicles of Narnia” series.
This reluctant reader in childhood now library director only wishes I would have read more during my school years. However, I have made up for lost time by reading each book and series through audiobooks easily accessible from the library provided services like Libby and Hoopla. Ask my family and regular library patrons, I am always ready with good author or book suggestion when needed. Please stop by the library and check out all we have to offer. A community full of readers of all ages can only have a bright and prosperous future ahead.
Christian Shroll, Library Director