The concept of libraries is thousands of years old, going back to around 2600 BCE when all that they consisted of were tablets written in cuneiform. Founding father Benjamin Franklin and his colleagues in Junto, a philosophical group, decided to pool their money together in order to buy books that all the members could use. This was the start of the public library. There are now many public libraries all over the United States that provide a wealth of services to their users, from checking out physical copies of books to spaces for students to complete homework to research databases and internet access.

I have been a bookworm ever since I was little and libraries are some of my favorite places to go, from my public library at home to the Grace Doherty Library on Centre’s campus. As a college student, a library provides a quiet place for me to do homework and other projects that require a calm environment. I prefer this study area because, if I come across a resource that I need, I can easily find it in the book stacks themselves and not have to leave and get it. A college or otherwise academic library is a wonderful place to take a study break as well. Many of my friends also study in the library, so I like to check in and see how they are doing. However, I mainly like to wander the book stacks and look for interesting titles because I can. I like to find little piece of useless knowledge that I can store away for when I'm watching "Jeopardy."

As a child, I loved going to the library to pick out books to read, sometimes getting more books than my short little arms could hold. The library was a way for me to keep checking out many books and when I finished them, I could take them back and not have to worry about finding shelf space for them all or a way to buy them. It provided me with the means to satisfy my constant need for books. Without going to the library as a child, especially during the summer months, I may not have developed my love for books. Through a library I was able to read a variety of books on many different subjects and the information was all free for anyone to find! I also prefer the print versions of books to online PDFs or other e-books. Checking out books carries on the endless cycle of having to return to the library once I finish books and choose to get more.

While Centre’s library isn’t public, it still provides me with the treasure trove of information that is buried within the stacks or through music and films that I can also check out. There are also study rooms that make finding a space to work on group projects much easier or finding a quiet study space to work away from distractions. I have spent many hours amongst the books and I will undoubtedly spend many more as I carry on in my career as a college student.

A library is a place that is dedicated to holding the vast knowledge of every subject imaginable and that continues to play a large role in both my academic and personal lives.