Every Story Counts

CLOSED: More to say? Tell us about why the library matters to you. Share your library story here.

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  Inspiring readers

  by Annie, 3 months ago
  I’m a mom and I love reading. I used to always use my Kindle, but then realized that as far as my kids are concerned, it’s just another screen that I stare at for long periods of time! The library allows me to get physical books and inspire them to read so that they can too get into this incredibly educational and character building hobby

  I’m a mom and I love reading. I used to always use my Kindle, but then realized that as far as my kids are concerned, it’s just another screen that I stare at for long periods of time! The library allows me to get physical books and inspire them to read so that they can too get into this incredibly educational and character building hobby
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  LOVE

  by MSLEYLA, 3 months ago
  I am so grateful to have access to a library. Free access to books is such a luxury to me. I mostly borrow ebooks/audiobooks and it keeps me sane! My commute to work can take about 2 hours one way and the audiobooks make my drive feel like I'm in school learning something new, or other times, another world where I face dragons and demons. Books continue to shape the type of human I am evolving into...and in turn, all those who I share my life journey with. THANK YOU

  I am so grateful to have access to a library. Free access to books is such a luxury to me. I mostly borrow ebooks/audiobooks and it keeps me sane! My commute to work can take about 2 hours one way and the audiobooks make my drive feel like I'm in school learning something new, or other times, another world where I face dragons and demons. Books continue to shape the type of human I am evolving into...and in turn, all those who I share my life journey with. THANK YOU
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  They're Free

  by SusanSD, 3 months ago

  When I was 6 years old, my brother who was much older than I brought me to the local library after school one day for my first visit. He instructed me to select books that I thought I would like. When I asked how much it would be to take them out, my brother said, "They're free". Having grown up in a housing project and always watching pennies, I couldn't believe that I could borrow these books for free! That was the start of my long-term love for the library.

  When I was 6 years old, my brother who was much older than I brought me to the local library after school one day for my first visit. He instructed me to select books that I thought I would like. When I asked how much it would be to take them out, my brother said, "They're free". Having grown up in a housing project and always watching pennies, I couldn't believe that I could borrow these books for free! That was the start of my long-term love for the library.
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  A quiet place to work and read

  by red_rocket, 3 months ago
  Sometimes it's nice to be able to get away from the distractions of home and a coffee shop is not always a relaxing environment. Having access to the county libraries, as a quiet sanctuary to read and/or work in a peaceful space, has been a big part of keeping my sanity and being able to continue working. In addition, being able to rent and read/listen to a plethora of book titles is invaluable. Thank you!

  Sometimes it's nice to be able to get away from the distractions of home and a coffee shop is not always a relaxing environment. Having access to the county libraries, as a quiet sanctuary to read and/or work in a peaceful space, has been a big part of keeping my sanity and being able to continue working. In addition, being able to rent and read/listen to a plethora of book titles is invaluable. Thank you!
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  Working Student Mom

  by MariaJ, 3 months ago

  As a mother pursuing higher education, the library has been one of the best places for me to study during the limited time I have between dropping my children off at school and picking them up. I can always rely on the library to be a comfortable space, warm or cool depending on the weather, and conveniently located near my child’s school in Rancho San Diego.

  The library is also a free and accessible resource, which means I do not have to spend extra money at an expensive coffee shop just to have a place to study. There is plenty... Continue reading

  As a mother pursuing higher education, the library has been one of the best places for me to study during the limited time I have between dropping my children off at school and picking them up. I can always rely on the library to be a comfortable space, warm or cool depending on the weather, and conveniently located near my child’s school in Rancho San Diego.

  The library is also a free and accessible resource, which means I do not have to spend extra money at an expensive coffee shop just to have a place to study. There is plenty of parking, making it easy to visit, and on days when I do not have access to a car, I can still reach the library using public transportation.

  The Rancho San Diego Library has been a great support throughout my journey toward earning both my associate’s degree and my bachelor’s degree. It is not only a place for academic growth, but also a space where I can check out bedtime stories to read to my children, making it meaningful for both my education and my family life.
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  LEARN Program

  by Golfer Grampa, 3 months ago
  Upon retiring in 2014 as a surgeon, I joined the LEARN through Vista Branch with Hector Ortega as mentor. I thoroughly enjoyed my two clients until COVID shut us down. I learned much grammar while tutoring.

  One of my greatest thrills is seeing parents walk out with kids carrying piles of books. We have a 2-year-old great grandson who loves his books and being read to.

  Richard Muir , San Marcos.

  Upon retiring in 2014 as a surgeon, I joined the LEARN through Vista Branch with Hector Ortega as mentor. I thoroughly enjoyed my two clients until COVID shut us down. I learned much grammar while tutoring.

  One of my greatest thrills is seeing parents walk out with kids carrying piles of books. We have a 2-year-old great grandson who loves his books and being read to.

  Richard Muir , San Marcos.
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  Childhood memories

  by Lynn, 3 months ago
  I was a very, very avid reader as a child. Every week I would go to the nearest library or, if I was close enough at the time, one of the other San Diego libraries and grab a stack of books to take home with me. I would spend the next week reading each of those books until I was all finished and ready to return them the next week for a new stack of books. To put it simply, I read a lot of books growing up.

  
  But there is no way I could have read nearly as much... Continue reading

  I was a very, very avid reader as a child. Every week I would go to the nearest library or, if I was close enough at the time, one of the other San Diego libraries and grab a stack of books to take home with me. I would spend the next week reading each of those books until I was all finished and ready to return them the next week for a new stack of books. To put it simply, I read a lot of books growing up.

  
  But there is no way I could have read nearly as much without the libraries.
  
  Reading was so important for my childhood development, and I don’t think I would be the same person without this community access to books for free. It’s likely the same for so many kids out there whose families are financially struggling. Libraries give these kids the chance to read and to learn through reading as they grow up. The San Diego libraries were so important for me as a kid, and I hope that kids both today and in the future get this same chance to read a lot too!
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  The Dwindling of Third Spaces

  by Victor, 3 months ago
  Third spaces are neutral, informal spaces outside of the home that foster connection and community. If the first space is the home, the second space is work or school, the third space can be any/many things – a library included. Within the confines of capitalist culture, we have dwindling third spaces, or worse – needing to pay to access third spaces. The library stands as a test against that.

  
  

  There is a new library being built in my neighborhood, Casa De Oro, and I am SO excited to see the construction. I feel like I will make more use of... Continue reading

  Third spaces are neutral, informal spaces outside of the home that foster connection and community. If the first space is the home, the second space is work or school, the third space can be any/many things – a library included. Within the confines of capitalist culture, we have dwindling third spaces, or worse – needing to pay to access third spaces. The library stands as a test against that.

  
  

  There is a new library being built in my neighborhood, Casa De Oro, and I am SO excited to see the construction. I feel like I will make more use of my neighborhood library, seeing as I always went to other neighborhoods as they had more books, more seating, and more amenities.

  
  

  Books are important. Being literate is important. Storytelling is such a core human experience – the more spaces we have that foster that connection and communication is paramount to who we are as human beings.
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  I love reading books on my tablet! Thank you for this great resource!

  by Daniel , 3 months ago

  I love reading books on my tablet! Thank you for this great resource

  I love reading books on my tablet! Thank you for this great resource
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  I can't live without my library

  by Cynthia Randazzo, 3 months ago

  Initially, the Poway library was my home base because it was between home and work. I've discovered authors with creative ways of telling stories and others with novel and innovative plots. Other books were more heartfelt and left me in tears many times. I've learned about Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein. Before digital media, I would pick up audio CD's for my commute and discovered ghosts, investing, and more biographies. I can't believe the lives some of these people had to endure and yet had the courage to tell their stories. I would read at the gym while on a... Continue reading

  Initially, the Poway library was my home base because it was between home and work. I've discovered authors with creative ways of telling stories and others with novel and innovative plots. Other books were more heartfelt and left me in tears many times. I've learned about Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein. Before digital media, I would pick up audio CD's for my commute and discovered ghosts, investing, and more biographies. I can't believe the lives some of these people had to endure and yet had the courage to tell their stories. I would read at the gym while on a machine and read on my breaks at work. So RICH were my experiences.

  Since I've retired, my home library is Ramona. I take my grandchildren there. Currently I'm addicted to audiobooks. I work in the yard, go for walks, clean house with a book in my ear. I recently bought a tablet and discovered the joys in finding the AMAZING variety of magazines available. Vegetarian cooking, gardening, science, and crafts.

  Thank you Library. I can't imagine my life without you. You are certainly a part of who I am. When I leave this world, it will certainly be with a book in my heart.

  Cindy