I have always found safety in the library. When I was younger I would sit in the library for hours using digital resources that were not yet accessible in households. I often checked out the maximum amount of books possible and stayed up late to read all my new treasures. As an adult I enjoy traveling around the North Shore with my daughter exploring our local libraries and watching her fall in love with reading the same way I did. Seeing the library and all of its wonderful amenities through my daughter’s eyes reminds me of how I used to feel too. Our libraries are essential for creating a new generation of readers. Readers who enjoy nothing more than picking up a good book and escaping to different worlds full of imagination and excitement.

We absolutely love the Salem library - especially the children’s section! My kids ask to go often and love the activities, programs, and projects they put together. It’s such a gem and a great resource.

The Salem Public Library is one of our most important spaces in town. It’s where we browse shelves and select books to read before bed; where we’ve found some of our favorite authors and illustrators; it’s where we sing and giggle during story times; it’s where we eat snacks with friends on an icy winter day or cool off while curled up with a book when it’s too hot to play outside; it’s where we can ask the wonderful librarians for the weirdest requests and they somehow always know just where to look; where we grab zoo or museum passes to make an outing adorable for our family; where I’ve hauled my laptop into a quiet study room to get something done when my family was sick; where I’ve felt safe parenting in public when my children were very small and it all felt so new. We’ve met strange animals here and learned about how aphids poop. My daughter got a smile and nod from the librarian checking us out when she checked out a 23 books recently because her appetite to read has far outgrown our home collection of books… what a joy to be able to take home so many books. The Salem public library is such an important space and I’m so grateful for it.

All my children, ranging in age from 2-14, have enjoyed their time spent at the library. Reading books, playing with toys, baby clubs, getting discount museum passes, or enjoying live events like curious creatures! The Salem Public Library is right around the corner from us, and when my mom comes to visit she walks the kids over to play at the library, enjoy the quiet climate controlled environment, and spend time with her grandkids outside the home - while also not having to spend $50 to get out of the house. We value our public library and hope to enjoy it for many years to come!

My kids love reading and we’ve been going to the library at least once a week for many years. Salem Public Library is solely responsible for hundreds of hours of peace in my home that didn’t cost me a dime!! My daughter is actually reading a book from SPL right now. We were able to grab it from the table with a curated stack of summer reading list books! I appreciate how they take the time to do this. It’s also a Wonder Book - which we love! SPL has great events, Chess Club, and more. Our community needs this resource now more than ever.

Whenever I have moved somewhere the library is the first place I go. It’s the center of the community, a place to ask for help if you need it, somewhere to shelter you from the outside (figuratively and literally). Salem Public Library is no exception. The staff is welcoming, knowledgeable, and the resources for the community- especially children- is extraordinary!

My family loves the Salem Public Library! Even before having my son, I loved the old styling and fountain that made it so unique. Now with my 3yo son, we come at least once a week and he loves all it has to offer. He plans what kind of books he wants to find while driving there, and always finds many others he falls in love with. Books that have taught him kindness, life skills, curiosity and are just fun. The ability to find books that I wouldn’t have thought existed, and to borrow them without contributing to the environmental nightmare of Amazon, is such a gift. He also loves the play section and activities, including the stories at the pool and the animals at the library. The library is one of his favorite places and I am so grateful for the positive impact it has had on our son and family.

My family and I love the Salem Public Library! I can borrow books I'm reading with my book club, it's a cool and quiet place to work, my toddler enjoys playing and reading there, and we're big fans of the different programs they host. They are a vital pillar of the community where neighbors can come together, the community is supported, and education + intellect are valued.

The Salem Public Library has been a place of fun and learning for my children since they were infants. We've gone to countless story times, crafting sessions, and special events. The library is a place we can spend time as a family without spending money, while helping our children learn and grow. The books and programs at the Salem Public Library have been a vital part of our kids' education.

My Mom and I absolutely love taking trips to the Salem Public Library. Where we do fun activities to reading books, also love the idea of the free passes to some museums.

We love the Salem Public Library, and especially the Children’s Library and its fantastic programming. We’ve attended Lego Club, the Poop Museum, Curious Creatures, story times, and even sent two cherished stuffies on an exciting sleepover at the library. My daughter completed 1000 Books Before Kindergarten and was so proud. We’ve spent many weekends at the library playing and selecting new books while connecting with friends in the community. It’s such a wonderful and beloved community resource for Salem families!

I got my first library card at age 7 at a small town public library. The librarian made me feel like a real person! Through my life I've used the library and taken my kids there. I so appreciate librarians' courage in these days of censorship and cruelty. Libraries are not only good for individuals, they are essential institutions in a free society.

Salem public library has helped me fall in love with reading again. With access to seemingly endless hours of reading material, as well as music, movies, tickets to zoos and museums, and a warm welcoming community space. But since I use a wheelchair, for me to be able to access my library they need the funds to maintain and improve their equipment like the elevator and lift. To create a safe space for everyone to enjoy and learn in there needs to be the funding backing it. Libraries may be taken for granted but they are a very important space for community growth.