Lincoln Highway: Lancaster County

We're at the Montville Branch!

One of the problems in visiting libraries as you chug along a road trip is deciding where to stop! There are nearly 20 libraries, including a bookmobile, in Lancaster County; do I visit them all? That’s clearly going to be impractical. So figuring out where to stop is always a decision to make, and always makes me feel like I’m missing out on so much!

My default has been to just grab the library that is closest to where I am, as I chug my way across the Highway. So please remember that there are always SO MANY OTHER LIBRARIES we could all be visiting! (Have you visited a library lately? Get on it - there are so many things to enjoy!)

When I was heading through Lancaster County, the library that was right on the Highway was the Mountville Branch! It was a small, but mighty, addition to the county library system.

It took me a minute to find the library, and even though I accidently wandered first into the dance center. (I chatted with a tiny dancer, and she was adorable!) I really like that libraries, especially smaller ones, combine to share space with other community organizations! Make it easier on your patrons to visit you, and visit all the other good places too.

When you walk in the front door, this is your view. Books everywhere!!!! What a great thing to see - shelves filled with books to enjoy!!! There is not a lot of extra space available here, and they are filling it all in with good things.

Awwww….I love seeing these kind of play places in libraries! Of course we have books, and of course they are awesome. And on top of that, kids (and everyone!) should know that we are also here for all kinds of other great things. If your kids want to come to the library to plan in the castle, and maybe do some important coloring - they may also be excited to get some books to enjoy!

And look at this area of the library! We’ve talked about the need to have colors and shapes and interesting things to see in a library in general - and especially when you are talking about kids. There is a story corner, which feels like it’s going to be a fun and cozy space to enjoy reading run. And the shelves that are just at the right height for kids is great! The more we can do to encourage reading, the better it is for kids.

And of course: library plants! I’m always so happy to see plants in libraries - they really make it feel more homey (and help to fight indoor air pollution!). And you can see (sorry, it’s blurry here) the sign for the upcoming book groups! They meet on the third Thursday of the month, at 6pm.

Just as a note: I love that! Too many libraries seem to set programs around the convenience of staff, instead of looking at the needs of patrons. I’ve been in too many libraries holding all their programs at 10am or 1pm - and I immediately understand how little they value my participation. That pesky “job” thing so many of us have to go to during the day prevents going to programs at these times. Ugh. So: great work, Mountville!!!! Applause all around!

I love library quilts, and I’m always going to be happy to see them!! (I’ve been sewing on hand-stitched quilt with over 7,000 pieces. I’ve been doing this for about the last ten years; but eventually I’ll get there!) And then you can see the flyers advertising other exciting programs in the library - it’s just lovely. This kind of view lets you see the level of community support for this library, and the more things people can do to be part of the library. When you have patrons coming in for more than books, that’s wonderful!

And finally: look in this bag. (You might need to squint a bit.) This is a Kill-A-Watt kit. A lot of libraries have this, but I love this and other items like it in the library. We’re here to connect people to information - not just to hand out books. (They are a lovely source of information too!) Helping patrons to learn about their electricity use, and to get their bills under control is a great kind of information. It’s great to be in the information business - we have so many wonderful things to share!

This is a good week to find your thing - that thing you like. Maybe it’s quilts! Maybe it’s plants! Maybe it’s saving money! Maybe it’s just reading some wonderful books! It’s a good week to go enjoy yourself.