On February 14th, lovers like to celebrate Valentine’s Day. However, the entire month of February is Library Lovers Month! As Shakespeare reminds us, true love is based on understanding and knowledge. We cannot really love what we do not know or understand. I hope that in this month of February, all those who truly love libraries will arrive at a better understanding of what a library is.
Libraries have existed for 5 millennia. The foundation of libraries is the collection and organization of information resources. To accomplish this raison d'être library science focuses on cataloging and classification systems. The Dewey Decimal Classification system is one of the most widely used library classification systems in the world, especially in public and school libraries. Labeling library material based on content and form is part of classification. Every book in your local library has a label on it. Here at the Community Library Network, our Technical Services department labels a dozen different collections based on content. Some of these collections are set apart from the general collection into their own rooms or areas of the library. For example, collections for children, young adults, genealogy, local history, large print, graphic novels, inspirational fiction, and biographies can be found collected into their own rooms or sections of the library. Recently, the Community Library Network established another unique collection, The Mature Content Collection. This new collection was established pursuant to the Children’s School and Library Protection Act.
Perhaps no one is more a lover of libraries than the person who chooses to dedicate their life to the profession of librarianship. As the Director of the Community Library Network, I extend my sincerest gratitude, in this Library Lovers Month, to all lovers of their public library for their seeking better understanding of what a library is.
-Martin Walters
Health Literacy & Library Lovers Month
Health can mean something different to each individual, dependent on what they are personally navigating in life, or what they have already been through.
According to CDC.gov "Personal Health Literacy is the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others." Your favorite library location can be a source of information to help support your health decisions*.
*Medical advice should only be given by licensed medical professionals
Sometimes supporting your health is focusing on things you love and things that bring you joy. We love libraries and are delighted to announce, this month is Library Lovers Month! Watch out for some special opportunities and activities in person and on our social media. Celebrate YOUR library love this month!