Summer is reminiscent of the library to me. Stepping out of the bright summer sun with the humid air clinging to your skin into a blast of AC with the smells of more books than you could imagine in the air. As a child the summer reading challenge was one I took seriously, heading to the library with my father and younger brother to check out new adventures and characters to meet through the school break. As I walk through my local Athenaeum at 25 I think back to a younger version of myself who found safety and escape in the pages of books and some of her favorite series and lessons. How lucky are we to have a space that grows up with us, one we can enjoy as a child through our adulthood. The older I become the more I see the need for libraries and the joy they bring to communities. As our world changes and societies values shift I feel grateful that no matter what books I am looking for I have a place to turn to. The library has helped me sustain my life long hobby while lowering my consumption as well as saving money. There is also some magic to holding the same book that others before you enjoyed. Having found myself in the Nonprofit Sector it feels full circle to understanding how pivotal this resource was and still is in my life. I have come to the realization that between the annual sale and use of the library I am able to almost fully cut out any need to purchase new books and instead could make a donation to the library while saving money and taking advantage of the services right at our finger tips.

Our family absolutely loves Westfield Athenaeum! It is an invaluable community resource. My daughter who's 8 now, has been coming to the library since she was 6 months old, and now loves nothing more than borrow a bagful of books and read them all evening in her cosy armchair. I love borrowing the newest cookbooks and testing out the recipe, and I cannot imagine my rides to work without listening to a book on Libby. Even my Mom, the recent retiree has rediscovered a library for herself and looks forward to our trips to borrow new books. We are so grateful to the library for giving us the access to knowledge!

My local library has always been a place of refuge for me since I was a kid. As a child, I would check out book until I reached the limit (50 a week!) As a teen, I spent hours in the teen section, enjoying the books and the air conditioning, and as an adult, the library provided a quiet space where I could study for the LSATs. My local library has been there for me in every stage of my life, and I can't begin to describe how helpful it has been for me.

I use my library card when I'm away at college to access resources for school, and the minute I'm home I take out books from the library in person to unwind with a good story or to continue learning over the long summer break. I'm about to check out books to learn more about traditional work songs to start a sea shanty club with my friends. I love my local library!!

I love my library because not only do I always find everything I look for, but the staff of the Westfield Mass Atheneum are so helpful!

The library is an essential resource for me and my family in countless ways. It offers incredible cultural items (books, films, music, and live performances) from across the state and serves as a welcoming community space where people from all walks of life and political backgrounds can connect and come together.