As we enter this season of gratitude, I've found myself reflecting on just how much I have to be thankful for.

 

I recently had the incredible opportunity to travel to Italy with my daughters, exploring its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and fascinating culture. (A special thank you to Mango Languages for helping me brush up on my Italian!) And, of course, an equally special thank you to our amazing library team, who so capably held down the fort while I was away!

 

As wonderful as the adventure was, there was something equally wonderful about coming home. Sometimes it takes stepping away from our everyday routines to gain a little perspective, and to see past the small stressors that somehow manage to feel so big in the moment. I returned with a renewed appreciation for my country, my community, my family and friends, and yes, even my work.

 

I'm incredibly grateful to have a fulfilling career at a library with a rich history of its own. Did you know that Morrison-Talbott Library traces its beginnings to 1892, when Mary Talbott and her son Henry donated approximately 2,000 books to establish a free public library in Waterloo? Or that Mary Talbott worked as an advocate for women's voting rights in Washington, D.C.? And here's another interesting tidbit: Colonel William Ralls Morrison, whose former home became part of our library's history, was a prominent U.S. congressman whose name was even put forward for the presidency in 1884!

 

For 134 years, our library has been part of this community, thanks to the vision and generosity of those who came before us. I'm grateful that our team, our Board of Trustees, and our community have the opportunity to play a small part in continuing that legacy.

 

But here's something worth remembering: Just because our library has been here since 1892 doesn't mean its future is guaranteed. Public libraries don't thrive by accident. They exist because generations of people have recognized the importance of free access to information, education, and opportunities, and have chosen to support it.

 

That's why our 2026 Community Survey is so important. We need to hear from you! Your thoughts, ideas, and priorities will help guide the decisions we make for the years ahead. The future of Morrison-Talbott Library truly is in the hands of the community it serves.

 

This season, I'm grateful for the people who had the foresight to build our library, the people who support it today, and the generations yet to come who deserve the same opportunities. After all, perhaps the greatest way to show our gratitude for what we've inherited is to ensure it's still here for those who come after us.