By MICHAEL FREELAND
Re-Imagining our Library Steering Committee Member
Growing up in the Salina community, the Salina Public Library has always been a solid constant in my life. I have always LOVED reading. From checking out Early Readers as a child to borrowing my favorite Stephen King book in high school to listening to a business audiobook in order to strengthen my professional skill set, SPL has had a life-long impact on me. In fact, I now own almost every book Stephen King has ever written!
The Salina Public Library is much more than a place to borrow books; it’s a cornerstone of the community that shapes the lives of children and families in the Salina area. By fostering literacy, providing educational tools, and nurturing creativity, the library helps prepare children for a bright future and strengthens the fabric of our community in the process.
Personally, I have attended family-centered community events at the Library, conducted business meetings in the annex across the street, perused local art featured in the entrance hallway, listened to audiobooks and watched movies online through my SPL account. By providing levels of both traditional and interactive learning, the Library provides something for everyone.
Never Stop Learning… Together
As I now have children of my own and run my own small business, the library continues to be a place where I can go to strengthen my business skills, find the perfect book to help my 1st grader expand his reading ability, or try out a new Xbox game to play with my boys. I have a personal goal to read/listen to one professional development book a month throughout the year. I never want to stop learning, both in my professional and personal development. If we stop reading, we stop growing as leaders, community members, husbands, and fathers.
Focused and Forward-Thinking
The Re-Imagining Our Library: Youth Services project is an exciting project to see moving forward. The Youth Area has some things that haven’t changed much since I checked out my very first Early Reader. An upgrade like this is quite overdue and I am eager to bring my kids to a newly renovated space that meets some of the technology, education, and family-focused needs of our community.
The Salina Public Library has met the needs of countless people in our community. Through its welcoming environment, the Salina Public Library helps children from all walks of life feel included and connected. The library is a safe and inclusive space where children can gather, make friends, and engage in meaningful activities.
Now, we should, in turn, provide our support to the Library and help them re-imagine the Youth Services department in hopes of impacting even more children, students, and families in Salina.
Off the Shelf is a blog post series organized by the Salina Public Library. To learn more about the new youth services center click here.