Want to know a secret?

For a long time, I didn't like to read.

It's shocking, I know. As someone who works for a library, just admitting that fact feels like it borders on blasphemy.

But it's true.

Here's the thing: I loved reading as a kid. I would tote piles of books with me around the house. I would walk around with my nose buried in the pages. I would compete with my fellow classmates to see who could achieve the highest reading level. (No matter how much I tried, I could never quite catch up with these two other girls in my grade. It was a hard battle, but they earned their title fair and square and I respect that.)

And then, something changed. From the start of middle school through the end of college, I rarely read for pleasure. I started to dread reading. I would put off reading assignments until the last minute and then sob my way through five chapters the night before I was being quizzed on them. SparkNotes became my friend, but it was an unhealthy, codependent sort of relationship where I relied too much on it and it usually let me down.

So what changed? How did this budding young bookworm turn into someone who started proudly declaring, with a twisted sense of pride: "I'm just not a reader"?

In hindsight, there were a few different factors that contributed to the decline in my love of reading.​

One is that I didn't like being forced to read certain books in school (who does?), and so having to spend time reading so many books that I wouldn't have chosen to read myself eventually gave me a chip on my shoulder.

Another reason was that, unfortunately, there was a point in middle school when it became apparent that liking to read wasn't "cool" anymore. I didn't want to be seen as a nerd by the kids in my class (more than I already was, anyway), so I tried to dampen my love of reading whenever I was around them. Eventually, I think I even convinced myself that it was true.

This reason is a little too complicated to explain in depth here, but in fourth grade I started to develop some obsessive compulsive tendencies that made reading really hard. I would read the same sentences over and over and feel like I wasn't comprehending them, which led to a lot of tears and frustration. I started to avoid reading at all unless I absolutely had to for school, and even then it was a struggle just to get through one chapter.

Lastly, I think getting a smartphone contributed to my reading slump. There were (and still are) so many distractions right at my fingertips that required less mental effort than reading. To this day it still takes a lot of self-discipline for me to put my phone down and pick up a book instead.

Whatever the reasons were, by the time I was a freshman studying English in college (ironic, I know, considering how much reading English majors have to do), the activity I once loved, one that had always provided a sense of escape and comfort, was now a source of stress and anxiety.

So what changed? How did reading become a source of joy for me again, to the point that I've read over 50 books (and counting!) in 2022?

For one thing, no one was forcing me to read anymore. I had the freedom to read (or not read) any book I pleased, without worrying about being graded on my knowledge of the material or my ability to write a ten-page essay on it. Reading became something I could do just for fun again.

​For another thing, I started working for a library.

It sounds cheesy, but it's the truth. (No one is bribing me to write this blog post, I promise!) Working for a library right after college — and for the next several years after that — helped me fall in love with reading again.

Maybe it was seeing all the books coming in and out every day and realizing just how many are out there. I was being exposed every day to titles and authors I'd never heard of before, ones that were way more interesting to me than the ones on my required reading lists had been. 

Perhaps it was meeting other people who had no shame when it came to their love of reading, whose eyes lit up when they saw the stack of books waiting for them on the holdshelf and who would babble on about the book they'd stayed up all night to finish to anyone who would listen. (Usually the person listening was me, and I loved it!)

Maybe it was the times when I got to help a child find something new to read, and seeing how excited they would get as I handed them the book reminded me of a time when I felt the same way. Or it could have been all the beautifully illustrated picture books I got to read  aloud when I was doing storytimes, books that reminded me of the magic of being a kid again.

Whatever it was, it worked, because I now love all things related to reading.

I love talking about reading.

I love getting recommendations from other people who love to read.

I love adding titles to my TBR (To Be Read) list on Goodreads, and I especially love adding titles to my Read (past tense) list on Goodreads. (The first list grows much faster than the second one, but that's okay.)

I love making Reels and TikToks that have to do with reading. My favorite thing is when fellow readers comment on a video and say "Me too!" There's just something unique about the reading community as a whole. Even if the types of books we enjoy are completely different, we still get each other in a special way.

So in conclusion, after going too many years as someone who would cringe at the sight of a book, I can happily say that I love reading again.

​And I have our little library to thank for that.

I recently had a conversation with a stranger I met while on vacation. At some point he asked what I do for a living. When I told him I work for a library, he responded with this question:

"Do people still use those?"

I can't tell you how many times I've heard some variation of this question. And I totally get it. After all, it's 2022. When so many of us have access to all the information we could possibly want at our fingertips, what use is there for a building full of old books?*

Well friend, I'm glad you asked.

Here are my top 5 reasons to get a library card.

This seems like a given, but seriously, books are SO expensive these days. Unless it's a book that you love and know you'll read again and again, why spend money on it when you can get it for zero dollars from your local library?
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(And if you really want a book to keep, you can always check out the free shelf in our lobby!)

Libraries are one of the few places where people can stay all day without having to pay a dime. (And many of them offer Wi-Fi!) As a result, patrons of all demographics come in and out of our doors. We also offer free programming for people of all ages and interests, including but not limited to:
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• storytimes
• STEAM workshops
• grab & go crafts
• book clubs
• volunteer programs
• outdoor movies

If you're looking for something fun and free to do, are interested in getting to know your neighbors, or just need a (mostly) quiet space to hang out for a couple of hours, visit your local library!

It's a common misconception that libraries "only" offer books. Here are a few of the other physical items available for borrowing from Avon Grove Library:
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• print books
• books on CD
• DVDs
• magazines
• mobile hot spots
• passes to Longwood Gardens (a local botanical garden in Chester County)

Other libraries in our system offer video games, museum passes, and even cake pans! Plus, there are a ton of free online databases and other electronic resources available 24/7 via our library's website. Whether you're looking to learn a new language, change careers, do research for a school project, learn more about your ancestry, or browse digital magazines, the library is the place to go. (And you can access most of them from home!)

Have you heard about Libby? It's a free app that gives you access to your library's eBook collection. Many people don't realize that libraries have kept up with the times and started offering eBooks and eAudiobooks to their patrons. Some libraries (like ours) even have their own app that lets you carry a digital library card in case you forget yours!

And the best part about eBooks from the library? Just like print books, they're completely FREE to borrow. Libby even has automatic returns, so you never have to worry about late fees!

Move over, Audible: there's a new sheriff in town, and her name is Libby.

Maybe I'm a little biased here, but I happen to think people who work for libraries are pretty great. For one thing, they usually enjoy reading, and their jobs often require them to be in-the-know about the latest books and reading trends. Both of these qualities make library staff a great resource for when you need a book recommendation or just want someone to talk books with. They are also more than happy to assist patrons with things like finding community resources or gathering materials for research.

(And speaking of libraries staying relevant, some library workers even make fun TikToks ;) )

So there you have it: five reasons to sign up for a library card in 2022. Can you think of any others? Comment them below, then go pay a visit to your local library!

Question: What's better than having your toes in the sand and a book in your hands?

Answer: NOTHING!

We can't deny that the beach is one of the best places to read. Whether you're looking for a summer romance, a pulse-pounding mystery, or something else entirely, there's a book on our shelves just waiting for you to get lost in during your next vacation to the shore. Check out 10 of our recommended beach reads below!

P.S. Just take care not to get your library book too close to the ocean!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, so we're highlighting books that were written by AAPI authors or that feature AAPI characters (or, in many cases, both!) There are so many wonderful books that it was hard to narrow them down, but here are eight highly recommended reads for a variety of ages.

Is there an AAPI story you think should be included in this list? Share it with us in the comments!

Taking a trip requires time, money, and effort that you may or may not have, but you don't need a passport or a thousand dollars to explore a book! Check out these 10 Armchair Travel Reads that let you explore the world from the comfort of your home.

Is there a book about travel you don't see on this list? Share your recommendations in the comments below!

March 8 is International Women's Day, and there's no better way to celebrate than by snuggling up with your daughters (and sons!) and reading some beautifully illustrated children's books about the true stories of smart, talented, brave, and influential women. Here are ten picture books about girls who made history that are available to borrow with your Avon Grove Library card.

​Need a library card? Find out how to get one here!

Do you have a favorite picture book about girl power that wasn't listed here? Share your recommendation below!

Recounts an incident in the life of St. Valentine, a physician who lived some 200 years after Christ, in which he treated a small child for blindness.
Craft: Make a yellow crocus craft

Relates the history and describes the customs of this holiday from its beginning in Roman times to the present. Includes directions for making a paper valentine and sugar cookies.
Craft: Write an acrostic valentine

An ardent suitor tries various means of communication, from smoke signals to Morse code to skywriting, in order to get his message to his Valentine.
​Craft: Bake Valentine's Day cookies

"One day it rains hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them. Each heart is special in its own way. Cornelia Augusta knows exactly who to send them to."
Craft: Make and deliver valentines to neighbors and friends

Do you have a certain amount of books you'd like to read in 2022? Or maybe you have specific books on your TBR (To Be Read) list that you're absolutely determined to get through? My personal goal is to read one book a month for a total of twelve for the year. Whatever your goal, here are some suggestions to help you meet or even exceed it by December 31st!

1) Set aside a specific time to read every day.

One of the best ways to build any new habit is to make it part of your routine. Block out a small portion of time in your daily schedule and devote that time to reading. If you're an early bird, pair your morning coffee with your current read. If you're a night owl, curl up in bed and finish the latest chapter before turning out the lights. And of course, always keep a book on hand in case you have extra time throughout the day! (One great way to do this is by downloading Libby, our free ebook app!)

​2) Don't like a book? Don't finish it.

I know, I know, this one is controversial. If you're someone who just has to finish a book on principle, I completely respect that. However, in my opinion there's no faster way to kill your motivation than to force yourself to keep reading a book you hate. If you're just not feeling Pride and Prejudice at this time in your life, give yourself permission to put it down (or return it to the library) and move onto the next one on your list. Sometimes it's just not the right time for a certain book, and that's okay. It will be waiting for you if and when you're ready to pick it up again!

​3) Find a reading buddy!

There's power in peer pressure! You're much more likely to stay on track if there's someone else in the race with you. Reach out to the bookworms in your life and make a game plan together. Avon Grove Library has book clubs for adults that you can join to meet like-minded readers. We also recommend following our friend Shannon's book-themed Instagram. She makes hilarious videos (that sometimes feature our library!) and always has new reading recommendations. And remember: when you need a little encouragement, your local library staff is here to cheer you on!