We are so fortunate in Kenosha to have FIVE library branches, including the new Uptown Children’s Library, and Bookmobiles that servicing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, and appearing at community events! While having access to thousands of free physical books–and even more ebooks–is enough to make libraries invaluable to our community, they do so much more! You can rent movies, computers, gaming systems, video equipment, and more. Libraries can help you with finding community resources like finding help for mental health and substance abuse issues, sign up for government programs, assistance with finding a job and so much more! And of course, they offer book clubs, author events, children’s programming, the list goes on and on!
At Blue House Books, we partner with KPL for multiple events a year! We just hosted Jennifer Chiaverini, author of several women’s and historical fiction novels, at Northside Library last week! Every fall, we host the Southport Literary Fair in partnership with KPL, bringing 20+ authors to the community for a FREE event, complete with panel discussions, book signings, children’s activities, and more!
Libraries are at risk of losing funding, so it’s more important now more than ever to support these invaluable community hubs. Here’s how you can help:
- Send an email to congress letting them know how important libraries are and that you are advocating for library funding to continue.
- Check out materials! While we would love for you to support Blue House Books as much as possible by choosing to buy your books from us, we would also love if you checked out books from the library! Just by checking out materials, you are showing that this important community resource is being utilized.
- Attend events at your local library. Aside from collaborative events with Blue House Books, KPL puts on a ton of great events, including writing workshops, children’s programming, book clubs, craft and hobby meetings, and so much more!
- Utilize their space! Have you ever needed to step away from the chaos to get work done? Head to the library and use their tables or rent a private meeting room!
Now more than ever, our libraries need YOU! I’m making a pledge to start using my library card more often and working in the beautiful, historic Simmons Library that is located right down the block from Blue House Books whenever I need to work uninterrupted.
What will you do to support your local library?
