From the Librarian’s Desk
By Steve Joyce
There is a place located at 201 West Chestnut, one block west of Dippolds and “catacorner” from the Masonic Lodge and that place is “your local library.” Everyone knows where the library is located--Right! Our loyal patrons, probably around 100 avid readers, know the location well and perhaps even have a standard parking spot. Then, there are the hundred others who stop in occasionally, maybe once or twice a month or several times a year, especially when they need something to read. Then there is the next level of Gillespieans who know where the library is and that’s about it.
The library is considered by public standards as a place that “ties the community together.” Augustine Birrell, British novelist and politician, says, “Libraries are not made; they grow.” This quote accurately describes the history of the Gillespie Public Library. The library has definitely grown from upstairs in the old firehouse and Miss Willard to the original Little Brick School , along with the new extension in 2006.
The intent of this column is to inform. Libraries are a source of information. I will talk about libraries and things that the library can do for you. I’ll tell you about our library and collection. I’ll talk about the past and “remember when”. Hopefully my history will be correct (if it’s not--just correct me). I’ll talk about changes in the libraries and there has been many since the computer age.
We have several groups that want you to get excited about “your library”. One group is the dedicated Library Board members who serve because they know the importance of a library and the other is “Friends of the Library”, a volunteer group, who help raise funds for children’s books and sponsor community programs. Hopefully the column will spark some interest.
Oh by the way! Here is a bit of library information. Birrell’s library quote came from a major reference quote book, Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations.
Another interesting tidbit!! We are located “catacorner”, “catercorner” or “caddy-corner” from the Masonic Lodge. I wasn’t sure if it was “catty- corner” or “kitty-corner” or what the correct spelling was or even where the saying came from! All I know is that my Mom and Dad used it to use it to mean “something on an angle”. This is what I found out! The definition evolved from the Middle English or Middle French word, “cater”, meaning 4 spot. Today, “cater” also means to cut across diagonally. Anyway, we are diagonal from the Masonic Lodge!
So even the librarian has to look it up!
By Steve Joyce
There is a place located at 201 West Chestnut, one block west of Dippolds and “catacorner” from the Masonic Lodge and that place is “your local library.” Everyone knows where the library is located--Right! Our loyal patrons, probably around 100 avid readers, know the location well and perhaps even have a standard parking spot. Then, there are the hundred others who stop in occasionally, maybe once or twice a month or several times a year, especially when they need something to read. Then there is the next level of Gillespieans who know where the library is and that’s about it.
The library is considered by public standards as a place that “ties the community together.” Augustine Birrell, British novelist and politician, says, “Libraries are not made; they grow.” This quote accurately describes the history of the Gillespie Public Library. The library has definitely grown from upstairs in the old firehouse and Miss Willard to the original Little Brick School , along with the new extension in 2006.
The intent of this column is to inform. Libraries are a source of information. I will talk about libraries and things that the library can do for you. I’ll tell you about our library and collection. I’ll talk about the past and “remember when”. Hopefully my history will be correct (if it’s not--just correct me). I’ll talk about changes in the libraries and there has been many since the computer age.
We have several groups that want you to get excited about “your library”. One group is the dedicated Library Board members who serve because they know the importance of a library and the other is “Friends of the Library”, a volunteer group, who help raise funds for children’s books and sponsor community programs. Hopefully the column will spark some interest.
Oh by the way! Here is a bit of library information. Birrell’s library quote came from a major reference quote book, Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations.
Another interesting tidbit!! We are located “catacorner”, “catercorner” or “caddy-corner” from the Masonic Lodge. I wasn’t sure if it was “catty- corner” or “kitty-corner” or what the correct spelling was or even where the saying came from! All I know is that my Mom and Dad used it to use it to mean “something on an angle”. This is what I found out! The definition evolved from the Middle English or Middle French word, “cater”, meaning 4 spot. Today, “cater” also means to cut across diagonally. Anyway, we are diagonal from the Masonic Lodge!
So even the librarian has to look it up!
