Rochelle News-Leader | We love books!

Jacqueline Kennedy said, “There are many ways to expand your child’s world. The love of books is the best of all. (https://www.blacksailbooks.com/blog/36-reading-is-important-quotes). Books are the basis of the library.

The information and knowledge found in books can change your life. You can read a great fiction novel that takes you to a distant land or a selection of non-fiction that articulates certain facts and information. Some books are very small but have a huge impact on you depending on when you read them. There are times in everyone’s life when they need different types of materials to help them along on their journey.

“The size of the American reading public varies depending on the definition of reading. In 2017, about 53 percent of American adults (about 125 million people) have read at least one book not intended for school or work in the past 12 months, according to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Five years earlier, the NEA led a more detailed investigation, and found that 23% of American adults were “light” readers (completing one to five titles per year), 10% were “moderate” (six to 11 titles), 13% were “hard” (12 to 49 titles ) and a dedicated 5% were “greedy” (50+ pounds). ” (https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/09/love-reading-books-leisure-pleasure/598315/)

When our library was built in 1912, it was 4,200 square feet. When the new addition was built in 1989, it increased the library to 20,000 square feet. Today, in those 20,000 square feet, we have 60,000 volumes and that total does not include our digital holdings. The library offers materials for all ages and all types of readers. We encourage you to come to the library and explore our resources. Discover different authors and see what interests you. If you don’t find the right book the first time, don’t be discouraged. Come back and we’ll find another book that suits you.

Reading is a wonderful gift you can give anyone. It’s free and something anyone can learn and develop. If you need a library card and you live in Flagg Township, remember that you need two pieces of ID, one with a photo and one with something with your name and current address. Come to the library and discover your love of reading. We love books!

Sarah Flanagan is the District Director of the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library.