National Library Lovers Month @ Lewis & Clark Library
February is National Library Lovers Month. In honor of this special distinction, here are two books, one celebrating librarians across the country and the other a tribute to Montana’s Carnegie libraries.
This is What a Librarian Looks Like
by Kyle Cassidy
This book is truly a celebration of librarians and the important services they provide to their communities. It is full of splendid photographs and short biographies of dedicated librarians from across the country. Lewis & Clark Library’s own Bretagne Byrd, Bookmobile Librarian Extraordinaire, is among the very fine librarians featured in this book (hint: see pgs. 144-148).
Here are a few inspiring quotes taken from the book:
“Impassioned librarians are a force to be reckoned with. We have the curiosity of a scientist, the work ethic of a teacher, the creativity of an artist, and the ferocity of a prize fighter.” Alea Perez, Westmont Public Library
“Libraries can be—and in many places are—anything their communities need them to be.” Matt Krueger, Irondequoit Public Library
“When I was growing up, I always saw the library as a refuge, a launch pad, and an oasis.” Stephanie Beverage, Huntington Beach Public Library
Also included in this book are library-loving essays by such authors as Neil Gaiman, George R. R. Martin, Jude Deveraux, Samira Ahmed and more. So, if you love libraries and the people who make them such special places be sure to check out this book, you’ll be glad you did!
Find it in the library catalog Here
The Best Gift
by Kate Hampton
Here is another absolutely fine book to read in celebration of National Library Lovers Month. At one time in American history, Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-American steel industrialist was the richest man in the country. Mr. Carnegie didn’t believe in hoarding his wealth and became a great philanthropist by funding the new construction of hundreds of libraries across the country. In order for a community to receive funding from Mr. Carnegie, townspeople needed to prove they were serious about this endeavor and would be dedicated to the future success of their new library. Between the years 1910 and 1922 seventeen Montana communities received funding from Carnegie to build libraries. This book contains interesting anecdotes from each of the seventeen libraries as well as updates on how these libraries are doing today. Fifteen of the original libraries are still standing, some have been repurposed as art museums or office space, but most are still thriving as community libraries today.
Find it in the library catalog Here
The Best Gift was written by architectural historian, Kate Hampton. To watch a presentation by the author given at the Montana Historical Society click Here