We were born before the wind, also younger than the sun, everybody both is one, as we sail into the mystic. All right, we're not here to sing this song. We're bringing it home with Sarah and Neal. Who do we have today?
We're kind of chill mode. I love it. It's Van Morrison, and this is Into the Mystic. Into the Mystic.
Most people know his song, Brown Eyed Girl. Yeah, yeah, that's what I know. I love Van Morrison. This is a really good song.
This makes me want to grab a book and go sit in my rocking chair and enjoy this weather. Oh, you love to grab a book anyway, but I will tell you, if you love to grab a book out there in podcast land, this week, October 19th through 25th, happens to be National Friends of Libraries Week. I think this is going to be a great topic because I learned so much. There are more than 117,000 libraries in the U.S., according to the American Library Association.
That's kind of who I consulted. Well, they sound like they're an expert. Oh, yeah, oh, yeah. So libraries do a lot for us.
Oh, it's more than just books. Yeah, more than just books. I love the library. You know that.
I love to read, so I'm all about this week. Right. But, yes, go to your library for free, access to books or even magazines, newspapers, and a lot of digital materials that are available. And it's also a place, Tennille, where people can gather and exchange ideas.
And there are so many free, often, free community programs that happen at your local library that people don't even know about. Yes, my mom has a cousin who has traced down genealogy, you know, a lot of things about the family history in the library. Yes, they have access to those records and they can help you. Yes, yes, they can.
And I know you and I both have good relationships with the libraries and the counties that we work in. We do. Both of us partner with them all the time to do non-book-related activities. Yeah, we do.
We do all kinds of different things at the library, including food-related things. Oh, my gosh, we've done nail prep classes. Yeah, and air fryer classes. You just never know what's going to happen at the library.
And so different programs go on at different libraries all over the United States. Now, here's what surprises me, though. The younger audiences are tuned into the library. Gen Z and millennials are the largest group of library users.
And I'm talking in person. I love it. 54% visited a library in 2023. That gives me hope.
I mean, they went in and I don't know what they did, but they went. Well, again, they may just be reading. It's free to check out a book. And it's expensive to buy a lot of books, right?
Yes. But there, again, are so many free programs going on in these places. And they are tapping into that. Right.
We think about them being online and not really interested in the library, but the proof is in the pudding. They went to the library last year. Yes, and I am not in either of those generations, but I'm right there with them. Exactly.
I think this is also cool and probably one that's not as shocking. Women and parents of minor children are more likely to visit a public library in person compared to men and non-parents because there are so many children's programs. In fact, according to the American Library Association, again, 49% of all library programs nationwide are focused on children. Well, I see how that's getting the mothers out.
You know, a lot of women and also children going, we have to do something to get the, what is it, non-parents and the men out. They're in there, yeah. We may need to work on that. But, yes, I can see that this crowd, that doesn't surprise me that this crowd is going out to the library because lots of children's programs.
The library in my county has a children's librarian, so they have a whole area dedicated to nothing but children. And I know the one where I work, they have weekly readers. They even have craft time for kids. So if you get the kids there, the parents are there, you can tap into them, too.
It gives them time to peruse the shelves and maybe find a book or two to read. So since this is the week that is National Friends Week of the libraries, we want to talk about some things that the public can do to help their local library and support their library. Even if you haven't been, you may hear an idea that you say, you're not going to do that and get involved. Well, an easy peasy one.
If you don't have a library card, go get one. Your kid can get one. I don't know the minimum age. It probably varies from library to library, but your kids can get one.
And numbers do matter, like you're saying, because libraries want to increase their funding. And a way they can do that is for people to come in and get libraries. Just step in the library. I know my local library has a counter.
So when you walk in and out, you're counted. And they have to turn that in, and that helps them get funding. Oh, yeah, they need people to come through the door. So I can see that being an easy way.
So I can get you a library card. This is a good way to do that, too. You can do any of these things this week. Absolutely.
But I'm going to volunteer. You know, if you've got some time to volunteer, you know, talk to them. You can help shell books, straighten shells, answer the phone. There are a bunch of people always in the computer room needing assistance where I live.
And whatever your abilities are, you know, the library can use volunteers. Also, students can get community service hours by helping out at the local library. And so they need that. It can be as simple as passing out snacks at movie night with the kids or helping with the book sale, whatever.
I know the book sale just wrapped up in the community where I work. And I'll tell you who made it to the sales desk, volunteers. That freed up the librarians to continue to be able to do their jobs. But, yeah, volunteering here is a great opportunity.
I love that. Join a book club. A lot of local libraries host book clubs. I know the one in my community, again, is hosted by volunteers.
It's somebody different every month. So, you know, book clubs are fun. Get everybody to read the same book and then talk about it. If this is something you want to do and your library doesn't offer one, go talk to your library about it.
I promise you, we're looking for ways to get more people in those doors. And it might even be fun to start a teen book club, get some more kids in. But, you know, I'm all about this. Yeah, that is a really good idea.
If you've got books at home that you don't read anymore, donate books. This is so important. You mentioned the book sale that your library was having. They use this money to help operate.
They raise funds. And, I mean, the book sale has things that are as cheap as a quarter. I've seen 50% books. Yes, they're very affordable to the public, but all of that money matters when it comes to the library's budget.
Or they may decide to add your books to the shelves if they're current or needed. So whatever way that they use them, don't make the books. I'll add to this. Our library also sells, like, DVDs and puzzles and things like that.
So check and see if that's something that they can take and sell during their book sale. And talking about, you know, things that are non-traditional, our library has things to check out. At one point, they have an air fryer that you can check out. They have different utensils and different machines.
So it's not just books. So make sure that you check out what your library has to offer. Another way that we can support our library is just showing up and attending. Attend their events.
You know, follow them on social media. Our local library is very active. They put out a calendar of events. They do upcoming events.
That helps them get some numbers, too, those social media numbers. And then when you see it on there, share it. Or, hey, let other people know, look, the library is doing this great program. I thought of you.
Ours has started doing, what's a quarter, a plant swap. Like, if you want to bring in some cuttings off of your plant, like, they're bringing those in and people are coming in and doing a plant swap. So let people know about it. Follow them on social media and help spread the word for them.
That's a really good idea. If you don't know your local librarian, introduce yourself. Talk to them. They will talk to you.
Now, it's a library, so keep it quiet. Don't get too loud. But, no, you know, I know my librarian. I know my children's librarian.
Thank them for what they do. You know, ask what their needs are. If you want to get involved, you know, we mentioned some things, but talk to them directly. Find out what it is that they need.
Or if you've got some ideas for a new program that you might be able to help for or make some connections with somebody else, let them know that. I mean, they're looking for new ideas. They host summer programs, you know, and they look for different things to do. Maybe even provide them with some little treats this week.
Oh, wouldn't that be fun? You could be a real friend and bring some treats for the staff this week. And they would love that. Another thing I think you could do is advocate for your local library.
You know, we talked about funding. And, you know, where we are right now with funding, especially for public entities, you know, stuff's getting cut or it's not increasing in many situations. So, you know, when you do have the ear of, you know, a policymaker or somebody, like even your local budgeting people, talk to them and let them know how important the library is to you and your family and to your friends and let them know what's going on. Maybe join if your local library has a Friends of the Library board.
Look into joining that and see how you can advocate for them. But I promise you, most libraries are a hub of the community. Yeah, they are. They're so important.
And this week, you can post on social media. So this is a whole thing for National Friends of the Libraries Week. So here are the hashtags. You know, we always got a hashtag when we have a week like this.
They have three hashtags. Okay, so you need to hashtag National Friends of Libraries Week. So there's the plural friends, plural libraries. Okay, hashtag friends of the library and hashtag library friends.
Let's do it, guys. Yes, there's three hashtags. So if you post or take a picture of yourself at the library or check in at the library. And ALA.org, they have celebration ideas.
Sarah, there's apparel on there. There's sweatshirt. You have to go check it out. All types of things.
And just information on what the libraries are doing and what challenges they're facing. So if you're really interested in finding out more about libraries, go to ALA.com. This is a good week to do all of these things. Oh, yeah.
But if nothing else, just stop in, visit with your librarians, and get you a library card if you don't have one. Yes, good ideas. Thank you for listening to us. And in the words of Bob Marley, I don't know if he was a big reader or not.
I don't either, but I can see myself on the beach right now. You would have visited him and did some reading, huh? Well, he would want us to live the life we love. And love the life we live.
Happy Friends of Libraries Week.