Those who know me know that I am a reader at heart. I was the kid who had to be told to put the book down and go outside to play. According to my Kindle stats, I have only not read 24 days since January 2020. So having the opportunity to tout reading to all of y’all is kinda my jam.
I am and have always been a big proponent of reading. Any kind of reading. I think that everyone should read whatever makes their little hearts happy. Sci-Fi? Comics? Biographies? Trashy romance? Horror? FanFic? Whatever. Makes. Your. Heart. Happy.
My reason for this is simple. There is no such thing as bad reading. It’s good for your brain, and if it makes you happy, it’s good for your heart. And nothing bad can come from having a healthy, stimulated brain and a happy heart!
And what better place to figure out what kind of books/reading materials make your heart happy than a local library. First — hello?! — free books! Even eBooks! And since the libraries purchase the books, you still support the authors who wrote them. Second, no one is better suited to help you not only find your next great read but also the meaning of life, the universe, and everything — than a librarian.
But I’m getting off track…
The theme for National Library Week 2022, “Connect with Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries are places to get connected to technology by using broadband, computers, and other resources. Libraries also offer opportunities to connect with media, programs, ideas, and classes — in addition to books. Most importantly, libraries also connect communities to each other.
While the James V. Brown Library tends to be the most well-known in our area, it is actually one of six libraries within the Lycoming County Library System. This doesn’t include the Bookmobile and Storymobile that are a part of the JVB’s Lycoming County Outreach program. According to their website (lycolibrary.org), “The Lycoming County Library System is committed to a vision of a vital and literate community.”
So, let’s talk a little about our other local libraries, and then we’ll get into what’s going on at JVB to celebrate National Library Week!
Hughesville Public Library: 146 S. 5th St., 570-584-3762 – hughesvillelibrary.org
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – 9:45 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday – 9:45 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday – 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Hughesville Area Public Library is open for all services, including in-person programs. Patrons will be able to browse for books and movies, make copies, fax papers and use the computers. They also have free Wi-Fi. Curbside pickup for library materials is also available. Any returned items must go into the dropbox, including DVDs.
Jersey Shore Public Library: 110 Oliver St., 570-398-9891 – jerseyshorepubliclibrary.com
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday – 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday – 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Jersey Shore Public Library is open for business! They have new expanded hours, Kim’s Storytime has returned, and you can use your library card to borrow Ebook, audiobooks, and magazines to read on your phone or tablet using the Libby app by OverDrive. You can even send and read your borrowed Ebooks to your eReader 24/7. They also have a “Craft for Kids” workshop for the littles in kindergarten-5th grade.
Montgomery Area Public Library: 1 South Main Street,: (570) 547-6212 – montgomerylib.org
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Montgomery Library was initially begun as the result of a motion from the Parent-Teachers Association of Montgomery High School on November 10, 1911, to start a Free Public Library. It was first housed at the high school itself with a collection of used books from local citizens. Today the Montgomery Area Public Library not only offers patrons a wide variety of literature, DVDs, and magazines, it also provides free Wi-Fi and computer access. Library cardholders also have access to eBooks and eAudiobooks via The Libby App. The library strives to provide invaluable resources for all ages and all people for entertainment, learning, and personal growth.
Muncy Public Library: 108 S. Main St., 570-546-5014 – muncylibrary.com
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The library was founded in 1938 by the Tuesday Study Club. It was housed in a room at the Muncy Historical Society building and was operated by club members for 25 years. It moved to 15 North Main Street in 1965, and a librarian was hired.
The library was moved to its location in 1970 at 108 South Main Street. The building at 108 South Main Street dates back to 1821. The architecture is from the Georgian style. The Beeber family owned it for many years. The Buffington, Von Neida, Kunkel, and Phillips families also owned it throughout the years.
Muncy Library offers many services, including Wi-Fi, copy/scan/print, a community room, and microfilm and archives. They also host several events and programs, including ‘Tech Skills for Adults’, Comic Books and Graphics Novels Workshops, and programs for the kids!
Dr. W. B. Konkle Memorial Library: 384 Broad Street, 570-368-1840 – konklelibary.org
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Konkle Memorial Library is in the middle of a ‘refresh.’ So they are trying to reach a $325,000 capital campaign goal. And they have plenty to offer the Montoursville community.
They have plenty of online resources, events for kids like Toddler Time and Pre-School Story Time/Craft Hour.
James V. Brown Library, 19 E. 4th St., 570-326-0536 – jvbrown.edu
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The James V. Brown Library will celebrate April 3-9 as National Library Week, an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and communities.
To kick off National Library Week, the Library will host a special family event from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 2, featuring the book “Saturday” by Oge Mora.
The event will feature a “puppet palooza” and four creative station-based learning activities inspired by the book. Families will also receive a free copy of the book for their home libraries, sponsored by the Friends of the James V. Brown Library group. The Friends also will have coupons available that day for all children who attend to receive a free children’s book from the Friends Bookstore on the third floor of the Library.
The selected book is the 2022 PA One Book, a state program that highlights the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers and the significance of reading early and often to children and engaging them in conversation and other activities around books. For more information, visit https://paonebook.powerlibrary.org/.
The author and illustrator, Oge Mora, will speak virtually to children across the state on Tuesday, April 5, at 10 a.m. During this event, Mora will talk about her work as a storyteller and answer questions from librarians, teachers, and students alike. You can register for this free event at: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/saturdaypaonebook/register.
Molly Shannon, multiple Emmy-nominated and Spirit Award-winning actress, comedian, and legendary Saturday Night Live cast member, will help celebrate our nation’s libraries as the honorary chair of National Library Week, April 3-9, 2022.
“I am so honored to serve as honorary chair of National Library Week for 2022. My mom was a librarian. She encouraged kids to read. So, the work of librarians and libraries has such a special place in my heart,” Shannon said. “Libraries are places where communities connect—to things like broadband, computers, programs and classes, books, movies, video games, and more. But most importantly, libraries connect us to each other.”
Also celebrated during National Library Week are the following events:
Tuesday, April 5: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.
Wednesday, April 6: National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day), a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are.
Thursday, April 7: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries.
The James V. Brown Library helps lead the community by offering safe in-person programs, various virtual programs, and contactless outreach book deposits to local childcare and senior care facilities.
“Libraries are cornerstones of democracy, promoting the free exchange of information and ideas for all,” said Barbara S. McGary, Executive Director of Brown Library. “They also foster civic engagement by keeping people informed and aware of community events and issues.”
If you haven’t been to the library in at least two years, your library card may have expired. But don’t worry – you can fill out the “contact us” form on jvbrown.edu or call to easily renew it and get access to all the library offers. In 2021, the Brown Library went fine-free to remove any financial barriers to accessing library materials.
As you can see, we have plenty of local options, so please, go out and support your local library. Or a couple of them! Just remember to return your books! And be sure to check out each library’s website and Facebook pages to stay up to date with what’s going on at each library!
