While on my daily walks, I’ve enjoyed seeing “free libraries” scattered around the city in front of residents’ homes. They remind me of bird houses. But instead of bird seed, they’re filled with books for the consumption of humans of all ages. It’s a great way to share the love of reading -- and to recycle books. When I started walking at the beginning of the pandemic, I came across one a few blocks from my home. Then I came across another on a different walk. Then another and another.
Some are simple in design and others have more ornamentation. But they all welcome passersby big and small to peek through the glass doors and grab whatever catches their fancy. Some even offer a bench to relax and read in a quiet spot.
Because the spread of Covid-19 is returning with a vengeance, in-person classes at schools are on hold until further notice in many cities. I can’t help but think about how important it is for children to keep up their reading skills with their own library sanctuaries at home – whether in their bedroom, in another corner of the house, or outside on the porch or underneath a shady tree.
Knowledge is power the saying goes. That is, “With knowledge and/or education, one’s potential or ability to succeed in the pursuit of one’s objectives will certainly increase,” according to Wiktionary. Another definition on Quora.com: “Knowledge can outwit the physical strength of any other person.”
Now, that is powerful.