Blessed with public libraries

My first library remembrances are of a mobile library unit coming once every two weeks to our small town of Hanover, Ill. How exciting it was to choose from so many book selections.

This was during WWII, and families had little extra money to purchase such luxuries. But that library offered riches!

Later, growing up in Stevens Point, we eagerly joined the summer book clubs of the Carnegie library and entered worlds of stories and adventures, and faithfully gave a brief book report to the librarian, working our way toward a small token of our summer efforts.

As I continued in life...libraries have always been a best friend.

Becoming a Catholic Sister in my adult life, I was frequently sent to work at a new school in a different geographic area. Within the first weeks of my new assignment, I would locate the library and register for a library card...there was also this amazing resource and friend wherever I lived.

Now in retirement years, I am residing at our Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Stevens Point once again. The library is even more helpful and exciting to me now with all the increased forms of learning and recreation if provides in books, magazines, CDs, videos & DVDs, computer access, music, speakers, artwork, puzzles and displays.

The Lord has given me many blessings throughout life...one of which is the gift of public libraries!

--Sr. Carlene Blavat, Portage County Public Library (05/10)