I'm back for a second year fundraising for the TCPL because this is my local library and it continues to be a cornerstone of my life and family rhythms. I just love that the library and all of its resources are free and available for anyone and everyone.

As the new normal that has resulted from life in the time of coronavirus, being able to continue to access the wealth of resources at the library has helped me to continue sharing and teaching my daughter so very much. As a mama and an individual I have been greatly supported to be able to grow, learn and be the best me I can be from books!

I view being a part of a community as an essential need. I love that my daughter feels so comfortable in our library and she knows how to bee line it to the shelves where so many of her (and now, mine too!) favorite books live. Whenever we're at the library we see familiar faces, from librarians to other kiddos and their parents. It's vitally important to know that we're a part of something larger.

While it's like the old days with us going to the library every week and choosing books from the stacks, I still remember the many months earlier with coronavirus when we weren't even allowed in the library or just in the hallway to pick up the books or book bundles that we'd requested. I can still remember the overwhelming emotions I felt when holding my daughter's hand, we were able to walk through the threshold into the children's section. It's like a second home. It's such a big part of her childhood and my mamahood. It's so much fun to find the book we're looking for and then to see 4, 5, 6, a dozen other books that we also totally want to get. This just happened most recently with books about giraffes and penguins. Did you know that there are 17 species of penguins?!

This year I’ll be reading 2 of my favorite children’s books that I learned about from our library. I join many of the other readers by choosing a banned book, and tango makes three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, illustrated by Henry Cole.   Bear is a Bear by Jonathan Stutzman was included in a bear themed book bundle. This seemingly benign picture book about a bear captures the preciousness of childhood and the heartbreak and beauty of the circle of life. In addition, I’ll read excerpts from three books I’ve read this past year that have had profound impact on me and my life, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and To Speak for the Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger.

 So this gives you a bit more of a sense of why I'm participating in the read-a-thon and fundraising for the Tompkins County Public Library. All of the funds raised will be used to purchase more collections materials - books, cds and dvds. Please give whatever you can. Thank you!