I have been asked twice, one by a librarian in town and by an author who runs her library’s blog space, to describe what my library has done for me. The first time it was a video I submitted to the library the second time will be posted on a library website in Texas sometimes in the near future. To put into words what it has done for me is hard to completely put down into words. But this is what I wrote for Texas.
————————
I first started thinking about writing in July of 2009. I actually began in December, however. Not knowing anything about writing, nor knowing anyone who was also a writer like myself, or the process involved with it, I was on my own. I just wrote until my first manuscript was done.
Several months later, I was checking out the website of one of our local libraries, and I noticed they had started a writer’s group. I was thrilled. Attending the first meeting, there were six of us, five librarians and me. This was a huge boost. It gave me the motivation to continue, but that is just a small portion of how the library has helped me throughout this journey.
Last November was the third year they hosted a free writer’s conference. This is huge in the sense that the nearest conference for us is about an hour away. The really big ones are even further. To have one in our area is fantastic. It’s also free. Hello! We get to attend free classes and seminars on various topics that can help us with our writing. Each year, the guest speaker has been spot on and amazing.
The library also brings in feature authors, which is hosted by the Friends of The Library. This gives us insight on how authors are doing throughout the literary field. The talks are friendly and laid-back, and it gives us inspiration as well.
If that was not enough, the materials you can borrow from the library are writing books, magazines, and computers to use. If you don’t have any of these things, access to them is a writer’s dream. The staff is friendly and very helpful if you need help in researching a topic.
Before I started writing, I was already a fan of our library system. At one point, I was going so often that one librarian asked me what shift was I on that week. Another gave me the keys to unlock a door since she recognized me from my being at the library so often.
Books, movies, CDs, and the endless programs they offer to the community is a true blessing for us here. There is always something to do at the library, which is always free to the public.
Now that I am a published author, it is even more invaluable because of the services they offer me throughout this venture. To me, if they had not started a writer’s group in this area, who knows where I would be right now. I am grateful for the libraries in my area. They are a great resource to have for those of us that need to make use of their services, especially someone who writes and researches often.
Sharon C. Williams-Author 