Berne Library Notes for Thursday, April 9, 2020

The following is a true story. Names have been changed just because.

“I might read a book someday,” said Sheree.

Annie, a confirmed bibliophile, gasped, “Seriously? You’ve never read a book?”

Sheree laughed, leaving the question dangling, unanswered.

Sixty-two-year-old Sheree may have been kidding. Or, she was offering her truth without apology. Either way, 62 years of normal living can rack up a mountain of word exposure. Job applications, test questions, voting, census-form instructions, following recipes from a well-worn cookbook. Newspapers, magazines, devices spewing updates from life. 

Words are everywhere. Some kindle your inner warrior, others jolt you out of familiar routines, while many enfold you in a cloak of kindness when you need it most. Through it all, libraries are there to support pursuits of learning, growth, and entertainment.

Berne Library’s early literacy story-time programs, book club and writing groups, Knit Wit gatherings and special interest groups continue forward in spirit and online. Kathy Stempel, the library’s director, shared a story-time read using the library’s Facebook platform this past week. She’s our champion. Check it out!

 If Amazon shopping is part of your routine these days, you could be helping the Berne Library by using the Amazon Smile logo. Register and choose Friends of the Town of Berne Library Inc. Doing so donates a percentage to the Friends at no cost to you. These donated funds directly support the Berne Library. You can find the Amazon Smile logo over to the right on the library’s web page at www.bernepubliclibrary.org. Thank you!

Whether you “might read a book someday” or you devour books weekly, imagine all the ways a person reads in an unconventional fashion. Your ears “read” when listening to books on tape. With sketch pad in hand, you are “reading” the surrounding landscape while capturing scenes to the page. A series of pictures guides you to transform two flat pieces of cardboard into a box wearing a lid, with not a single word involved. As your brain interprets the diagrams, your mind reads the pictures and successfully manages the transformation.

Every month, every day look for chances to celebrate those victories: A new recipe; appreciation journal pages; check-in calls to family, friends and neighbors. This Wednesday, April 15, the library celebrates you. Check the library’s Facebook page for updates and library news flashes.