Welcoming the autumnal equinox is my favorite time of the year: seeing nature’s beauty in quiet repose as the air turns brisk, landscape colors change, and leaves blow in the wind. Fall can also be a busy time, with students and faculty returning to school, farmers harvesting crops, and organizations ramping up for a strong third-quarter push. People are also planning for more time indoors and celebrating holidays with family and friends.
September is an exciting time to welcome people into the library as we celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month and observe Banned Books Week, this year scheduled September 22–28. Since 1982, Banned Books Week has been a critical national program aimed at helping everyone see that all stories belong in libraries.
October brings TeenTober literacy and technology events, and the month closes with National Friends of Libraries Week (October 20–26) commemorating the strength of library volunteers in communities everywhere. Truly, everyone belongs in libraries and deserves equal access to information to help them live their best lives.
This is why I created my “We All Belong” library tour—a virtual and in-person tour to visit public, academic, school, special, and tribal libraries in urban and rural areas—to highlight the work of library workers in these communities and create bridges within the Association.
While planning the tour, I knew I wanted to start my journey at the largest public library in North America, the award-winning Toronto Public Library in Ontario, led by the fearless Vickery Bowles, a warrior for intellectual freedom. On my visit, I saw the magnificent Toronto Reference Library, with its 6 million holdings—a writer’s and researcher’s dream. The interior was designed by architect Raymond Moriyama, who constructed a five-floor atrium to reflect his vision of creating a “cup of knowledge.” During my visit, the makerspace was packed with learners and inventors, and the computer lab was buzzing with activity.
As I moved through the spaces, I saw meaningful collections with thoughtful displays. I was especially touched to see an “Every Child Matters” tabletop display recognizing September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which honors the Indigenous children of Canada and brings awareness to the trauma they and their families experienced.
Another amazing display was the book sanctuary collection, which includes titles that have been challenged, censored, or removed from public and school libraries in North America. The display reaffirms intellectual freedom as a tenet worth defending, with slogans like “Ignite minds, not books,” “Freedom to read ’em,” and “The best ideas are free.”
Truly, it is humbling to see a library live its values with such conviction and dedication. Every community deserves a world-class library experience, and I am grateful to modest giants like Vickery for leading the way.
Witnessing fearless leadership in action is an honor, and I am grateful for the inspiration. I look forward to spending time with everyone on the tour, which will take me across the continent.
But civic pride is nothing without fulfilling our civic duties as well. Please register to vote ahead of the November 5 US elections, and please encourage your community members to do the same. Cast your ballot and make your voice heard. It takes all of us to tell our stories in a good way.
