Personal Impact of Libraries
Libraries have personally impacted me in many ways. Some of these ways include:
- I was invited to join the MTAC (Media Technology Advisory Committee) by my high school librarian (Charles D. Owen High). I am the student representative chosen out of approximately 800 students. This has provided me with an opportunity to develop leadership skills while making suggestions for the improvement of the library and the school.
- I used the Charles D. Owen Middle School library, while in eighth-grade, to research for an exhibit for the National History Day competition. This project won the regional competition for National History Day, allowing me to compete at the state level.
- The Black Mountain Elementary School Library provided the most enthusiastic responders to my inquiry about why libraries are important to students with 100% of students responding.
- While I was at Black Mountain Elementary School, I worked as a library assistant during fifth grade. This gave me experience in organization furthering my love of libraries.
- When I was in Black Mountain Primary School, the librarian often hosted kids' nights with themes about books.
- When I was quite young, the children's librarian at Black Mountain Public Library, Mrs. Joan, encouraged me to make book recommendations. She frequently purchased the books I suggested and encouraged me to continue reading. This relationship increased my self-confidence tremendously.
- My mother has been a school librarian as long as I have been alive. She introduced me to my love of books.
- Libraries always provide an endless stream of reading material, informative or recreational.
"Libraries are significant to me because I have been going to them and getting books literally my entire life and interacting with many wonderful and kind librarians. More recently, libraries have become a place where I can go and use computers as well. " Benjamin, age 14