We asked you all to share your library stories with us so that we could share them with community leaders and decision makers.
You sent so many stories that we couldn't fit them all in our highlights booklet - so here they all are, complete and unabridged.
Thank you all for sharing your story.
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My daughter got her first free story book in the mail today and was super excited and having everyone in the house read it to her. The wonderful ladies at the Lake Station library signed her up for the Dolly Parton book club and she gets one book in the mail a month until she is five!
- Jessica
Sandy was wonderful helping me fax very important paperwork today. Sandy was very patient and knowledgeable. She was a great help to me. I am grateful. Love the library.
- Brigid
I’d like to thank Rosella Garcia for the opportunity to teach ESL. It was wonderful to spend time with people who are very different from me yet the same. I’m glad the the library is a very inclusive place for people of all different backgrounds. Thank you Rosella.
- Jenny
We had a Library Hour back in Grammar School. The school Librarian asked us to find a book, take a seat and read. I couldn't find a book that interested me. I was in the fifth grade.
Ms. Foy picked out a book on Indian Arrow Heads. Reading that resulted in a lifetime love of History and Archaeology. I even took up metal detecting searching for old coins since it's difficult to find Arrowheads in the city. The Librarian, Ms. Foy picked out that book 80 years ago, as a result I still visit various Lake County Libraries searching for History or Archaeology Books.
I'm not one to discuss politics : however The Lake County Library System Shines above All.
- Ed
I have a 30 minute commute on the Borman Expressway to my teaching job every weekday. Utilizing audio books from the Lake County Library makes my commute bearable!
- Heidi
You may know that I am the author of a picture book entitled DON'T FEED THE BEAR which is featured on Kirkus Reviews' recommended list and nominated for the 2020-21 Young Hoosier Book Award. But what you don't know is that to hone my craft I had to read tons of picture books. I would reserve 50 picture books at a time--I still do--and read and study them. Many state libraries do not allow so many books to be put on hold. I'm glad our Lake County Library does. Our library helped turn me into an award-winning author. I just sold my third book yesterday, and a fourth goes to acquisitions this month [January.]
- Kathleen Doherty
My husband and I are avid readers, along with our five children. I love bringing our kids to the library and watching them disperse, darting amongst the stacks to find a pile of treasures. They each have distinct interests and the genres from which they select their books vary widely. No matter how many times we visit, there is always something new to discover.
As wonderful am experience as it is watching my kids devour books, a busy mom, there is often not time for me to search for titles for myself. I absolutely LOVE the online book request feature; it saves precious time and I know that when I do go to the library, my book will be waiting for me. But far and away, my most favorite convenience feature is borrowing ebooks to read through my kindle; this has been lifechanging. Our library is an invaluable resource and we will continue to gratefully take advantage of all it has to offer.
- Kristen
I love my Library and the convenience of ordering books on-line. I am a substitute teacher and take the books to school with me to share with the students. There has been some lively discussions regarding the books I have brought. Hopefully, this has sparked and interest to go to the library and find a book, read it and share it either with the class, family or friends. The joy of reading and taken to places you can only imagine.
- Agnes
I consider myself an avid reader, reading well over 100 books a year. This would not be possible without the library. While I do purchase books from stores, I also utilize the library often. Last year alone I saved over $1700 by using the library. The library gives me the opportunity to check out books I'm not too sure about without spending money. I am also able to get audio books from the library which is a huge money saver.
- Michelle
The Lake County Library system has been such a blessing and made "Cutting the cord" (eliminating cable TV subscription) so much easier! From Bedtime stories to STEM lessions, Ham Radio education materials, children's videos, Blockbuster movies, and streaming TV, Movies, and Audiobooks/Music we saved an estimated FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS last year. That is hundreds of books and videos our daughter would have otherwise not had access to. My wife and I were able to get up to speed on some of our favorite shows that we miss due to "Cutting the cord" and the library's printing, scanning, faxing services have saved us money on ink/toner cartridges. We love our library!
- George and Heather
I am a new business owner and I am grateful for my library. I have been able to use the resources on-site and online to do market research and search for information on how to run a business. The staff has been extremely helpful with all of my questions.
- Tiffany
I checked out sooo many books that helped me launch my business. It was so nice having a library near me that had all the tools I needed.
- Charlie
I am mostly a shut in. Once per month my friend drives me to the library for card making class. A day of creating and friendship bonding has become a highlight in my life.
- Jayne
I have 4 little girls and this past year we learned about the children programs and activities at Lake Station Library. We now attend every activity they have the ladies are amazing, very friendly and the kids love them and my four get so excited when I say we have library night, they learn new things, they think while doing projects, they get to interact and meet new friends, they learn to share and also have a chance to see the variety of books the library offers. My girls look forward to going to the library and it is nice knowing that there is so many learning activities they offer now..Thank you to Lake Station library and to the amazing ladies who put all this together for our kids to experience...
- Sandi
The St. John library is one of our favorite places to visit each week. Our 9 year old son has been attending events and going to the library since he was 9 months old. It was there that he would sit on my lap and listen to the librarian read stories. He still loves going to the library twice a week and has since invited so many friends in the neighborhood to join him. The whole Lake County Public libraries are awesome. I have become friends with so many of the librarians and they help out so much. Please continue to support our library in any ways you can!! Thank you for your time.
- Michelle
Waking to the library after school at Saint Michael once a week for a brownie meeting. We would look at the books afterwards and check some out.
- Jennifer
My daughter Violet will be 5 this April and loves going to the library because it's an experience. Besides the books she especially enjoys the hands on activities, computer consoles and interaction with other children. To remain competitive with a world of knowledge at our fingertips a library MUST maintain and increase that level of hands on activities to retain the experience. A library is a MUST for every community...it's a social conduit of knowledge. Violet and I thank you for your time and hope to see enhancements soon!
- Dale
The public libraries are valuable assets to all communities. I am 67 years old and have been visiting the library since I was a child. I can remember vividly walking with my friends to the "bookmobile" in Calumet Township to get books.
I've been an avid reader all my life and the library has played, and still plays, a valuable roll in my life. When my children were young, we visited the library on a regular basis, establishing a strong reading foundation for life. Libraries provide the ability to read and expand a person's knowledge to all economic classes. It's of vital importance for people who may not be able to purchase books to have the resource available that the library provides.
- Debbie
There is no better gift than a book. Stories transform the way that we look at the world and those around us. A great narrative can change the way that we approach our futures, past, and present. I have always loved the library and its endless possibilities.
My grandmother was a librarian for the East Chicago public library when I was growing up. That greatly influenced my mother's love of reading and she shared it with my siblings and me. I have such amazing memories going to story time at the library as a child, wandering the stacks and touching the long backs of the books, and getting lost in endless journeys with so many different authors' voices. No matter where I was in my life I always knew that books would be there with me and for me.
As a mother myself now, there is no greater joy than bringing my young son to the lake county public library and letting him explore the children's section. We love looking at the different books covers and I enjoy watching his little mind light up with the same stars that mine did. I feel like our society forgets how important literacy is and we take the gift for granted.
- Caitlin
