by Elizabeth Albin, CCPL Circulation Manager
November is National Gratitude Month so its a great time to reflect on one of my mother’s favorite songs, Thankful by Josh Groban. The song begins with the lyrics:
Somedays, we forget to look around us
Somedays, we can’t see the joy that surrounds us
We sometimes forget to look around and see the joy around us. As I write this, I am watching countless families entering the library with smiles and laughter. Children are excited to run to the children’s section; adults are happy to have a place to make some copies or get a notarization done. Our parking lot is full of cars; people coming in and out to swap out their extra crafting items as our Craft Supply Swap is going on. We received a phone call earlier from a patron who was struggling to set up some technology equipment and said, “I didn’t know what else to do, so I called the library.” She came in and we got all her tech up and running within a few minutes and she left so delighted! Another patron came in with some items that were more than a year overdue and explained some hard life circumstances they were going through. We were able to get all their accounts cleared and ready to use with no extra burdens on them. They were overjoyed to be able to check out books again. The small, daily interactions are what bring so much joy around us.
At the end of September, Campbell County Public Library (CCPL) won the Wyoming Library Association’s Outstanding Library of the Year award. This award recognizes the work library staff has done to make your library a vital and core institution in our community. Although this award is specific to CCPL, the sentiment holds true for Wright Branch Library staff, too. We work tirelessly to make everyone who walks through our doors feel welcome, appreciated, and seen, regardless of who they are or what they need. I am thankful for my co-workers who serve our Campbell County communities because the work we do is important. From birth to death, our libraries are here for our communities and your librarians take that mission very seriously.
The song Thankful concludes with the lyrics:
It’s up to us, to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There’s so much to be thankful for.
Wyoming Libraries Snapshot Day
Each year, the Wyoming State Library selects a day for Wyoming libraries to collect stories and photos to show the tremendous impact that the state’s libraries have on Wyoming residents every single day.
Here are a few CCPLS messages about why the library is important...
•It’s a great resource for homeschooling families. A great meeting place as well for moms to visit while kids look at books or play games together.
•The library is important for all the community. The crafts, books, information, everything with people coming together with common purpose.
•Because it gives me a sense of comfort and I know people here are trustworthy.
•I enjoy the community opportunities with activities for all ages. I have participated in many myself and with grandchildren.