What Does My Public Library Mean To Me?
by Tom Savady
age 17, Murfreesboro

In a world infested with terror, political scandals, and the inevitable fear of global warming, one place remains a sanctuary in my life.  A shrine of infinite knowledge and the epitome of civilization is ensconced in a city whose population is rising as fast as gas prices.  Can this place exist?  Where does one find such a scholarly paradise?  Well, in my town, I have a public library.  This two story amalgamation of brick, steel, and book shelves holds the key to my heart.  It is the only place in town I can find peace and quiet, along with a stunning view of historic downtown Murfreesboro.  The library was the first place my eyes ever caught site of the plethora of books provided by my city’s generous tax payers.  If the library were to disappear, I would be at a terrible loss. 

Where in the world can one find all the information collected from the greatest minds of mankind?  My first love:  the library.  The library is not just a place to check out books, but a monument of free thinking and man’s enduring pursuit of knowledge.  The public library was the first place to enlighten me with the power of education.  It was the quintessential catalyst for my starving desire for knowledge.  Never before have I been engulfed by a sea of literature, memoirs, facts, and numbers.  When I was out of school, during the summer, I would spend a majority of my time at the public library.  I explored the depths of the ocean, walked with dinosaurs, zoomed through the dark voids of space, and debated with our founding fathers.  The library opened the doors to my imagination and since then, I have been grateful.  The first day I set foot in my public library, I was astounded.  Absolutely speechless.  I was a kid in a candy store. Except there, you would not find lollipops or chocolate bars, but neatly aligned rows of thoughts and ideas, columns of knowledge, and pages upon pages of wisdom, all organized by a simple system of numbers. 

Not only did the library provide me with a surplus of books, but a convenient access to the power of knowledge for the poor and needy.  The library harvested all the information from all the corners of the world to feed the educationally deprived youth.  A free for all.  An all you can read buffet!  Hand picked by the librarians, books are lightly grilled with intricate plots and dynamic characters, served with a zesty blend of irony, sautéed with diction, syntax, and metaphors galore!  In my opinion, the library is the greatest social service a community can provide.  It establishes a place for children to learn and prosper.  It is an investment which is sure to bring positive effects to the community.  The library, a beacon of knowledge, is my lighthouse in a sea of learning.  If I am ever lost, I know it will always be there to guide me.

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