The town of Fairhope, Alabama is known for its lovely view of Mobile Bay, a thriving community of artists and writers, and plenty of fun local shops and restaurants.
But according to local residents, it’s the Fairhope Public Library that is the “beating heart” of the town (in the words of local mom Jada Pryor).
In the intro video above, you can see examples of some of the stories we’ll be sharing over the next month.
Rather than using my own words to give an overview of this library’s value, I’ll turn it over to Fairhope resident Kathleen McCord. She submitted a beautiful personal essay about how much the library means to her. She shares how a lifetime of “collecting libraries” as a military kid has helped her realize what a gem Fairhope has in its library.
(And she calls it the heart of the community, too).
Enjoy her story below, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any of our library stories!
Jennifer Butler Keeton
Founder/Editor of My Alabama Library
A PLACE OF WONDERS AND INSPIRATION
by Kathleen McCord
One snowy Saturday in Pennsylvania when I was a little girl, having recently started first grade, my mother took me to our Public Library. It was housed in a venerable old brownstone building and I remember her depositing me on a wooden window seat where I gazed in wonder at what I thought looked like a million books on shelves reaching toward the high ceilings.
Soon Mother was back, sitting down next to me with two books, Heidi and The Secret Garden, AND a library card of my very own! How thrilling to know I could take a book and check it out for free! It was my first introduction to what would become a lifelong love affair. In fact, you might say I’ve been collecting libraries all my life. Being “Air Force brats,” our family moved frequently. Each time we settled into a new location, we sought out our local library. It was a place I knew I could retreat into and enjoy the worlds of fiction, fantasy and learning.
As I walk through the doors (of the Fairhope Public Library), I still feel excitement and anticipation, knowing there is a wealth of knowledge and wonder at my disposal.-Kathleen McCord
I’ve always felt a library is the heart of a community. Not only does it house literature, it’s also a place where you can receive help to develop and discover new interests. Now, many years later, I live in the lovely village of Fairhope, Alabama, and we have a wonderful library. As I walk through the doors, I still feel excitement and anticipation, knowing there is a wealth of knowledge and wonder at my disposal.
We have other offerings, besides books, to choose from. There are on-line family history classes, book reviews to participate in, both fiction and historical. There is an area where one can sit and peruse the latest magazines and journals, in cozy overstuffed chairs! There is computer lab on-line help offered, story time, study rooms, career and job assistance with tutoring. In the summer we even have movie afternoon once a week. I could go on and on!
(The Close Knit Circle) is comprised of such caring individuals sharing their knowledge to help others learn the art of beautiful crafts.I can’t say enough about how fortunate we are to have an incredible local library and the staff who are always there to encourage our group.
-Kathleen McCord
What I love, and am extremely grateful for, is how our library has supported the Close Knit Circle, a delightful group of women, started by a librarian in 2008. Meeting weekly in a large room with a huge work table and comfortable chairs, over a dozen people gather to knit, crochet, embroider, quilt, as well as provide support for one another. The sound of clicking needles, the vivid colors of yarn, and the pride in finished projects for “show and tell” is inspiring!
We welcome one and all, even to just drop in and chat a while. The group is comprised of such caring individuals sharing their knowledge to help others learn the art of beautiful crafts. I can’t say enough about how fortunate we are to have an incredible local library and the staff who are always there to encourage our group. We look forward to time spent together in this enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere. Thank you, Fairhope Library, for being here for our community and making us, one and all, feel welcome.
Author Event Alert!
If you live within driving distance of Fairhope, don’t miss out on this exciting author event coming up on Thursday, October 16, at 6:00 pm.
