Guest Opinion: At age 40, Woods Library defines 'home'
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In the classic holiday film "It's a Wonderful Life," Donna Reed plays two parts: a lively, loving, nurturing wife and mother as well as a reclusive librarian.
The second role conjures up the image of the stereotypical librarian, ready to "shush" at the hint of sound, working in a mausoleum where dead writers repose; a closed, dark place where stuffy intellectuals find obscure facts and parents drag unwilling children to complete school reports.
Our Pima County Public Library defies that image. It's inclusive, empowering and resonates life. Our library is an institution that defines and helps build community.
When I pulled into Tucson in 1979, I didn't know a soul except my husband. The first day he drove off to work, I began my journey to make Tucson home.
Luckily, Woods Library was within walking distance. There I found bus maps, a slide show on the history of Speedway Boulevard, current happenings around town, information on potential employers and a class on how to cook Mexican food.
Best of all, I found people willing to answer my questions and a place where I wasn't a stranger.
As I approached the unfamiliar territory of parenthood, I haunted Woods again. There I found books on pregnancy, development and parenting skills and the magical Story Times.
Librarians modeled how to draw a child into a story. They introduced us to great books that became "old friends" to my son.
They taught delightful songs, simple games and finger plays to add to my stale repertoire of "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "This Little Piggy."
Other moms and children we met became friends and playmates.
My relationship with the library deepened when I pursued my secret passion to become a writer.
At Woods, I found facts to weave into articles, inspiration that sparked ideas for projects and workshops to hone my craft.
Over the past 40 years, Woods has come to look a lot different, inside and out.
The programming and offerings have kept up with the ever-changing technology and the diverse population that flocks to this fourth-busiest branch in the county.
People from 39 countries, from every continent except Antarctica, call Woods their branch.
Inside, high school mentors work with elementary students in literacy activities. Homework Help invites children to find help they might not be able to get at home.
Moms network and learn from each other and experts. Neighborhood groups hold meetings.
Anyone can come in and spend time on a computer, or browse the collection, the magazines, check out a movie.
It's a place for lifelong learning, a place from which parents sometimes need to drag their children because they don't want to leave.
The people I've come to know at the library are much like the capable, loving Donna Reed in "It's a Wonderful Life" - the one who saw through a crumbling, abandoned house and a depressed husband; a woman who could follow a dream and make it live.
From the fresh flowers on the desk to the library associates who can call neighborhood kids by name, Woods is a bright spot in the neighborhood.
Come celebrate Woods' 40th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19.
Artist Simon Donovan, who designed the fantastical floating books, will speak.
Storytellers Martin Rivera and Elva Smithwhite will share their talent. Woods' Somalian neighbors, a large recent refugee group settled in the neighborhood, will provide Somalian music.
There will be a program for children and in the afternoon, when the formal festivities end, the two meeting rooms will be open for teen video gaming: Dance, Dance, Revolution, Guitar Hero and Rock Bank.
As with any celebration, cake will be served.
Happy anniversary, Woods. The Amphitheater neighborhood is safer, richer and more vital because of you.
Writer and teaching artist Marge Pellegrino encourages people of all ages to express themselves in schools, community settings and, of course, at the library. E-mail: margepell@earthlink.net
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L. B. (#2168)
Apr 9, 2008 @ 3:49pm:teary-eyed: Yeah. What she said. - Post a Comment »