Guest Post: Leah Lily, Library Lover
We’re super excited to feature a guest post by Leah Lily, a library lover from the great state of Washington! Leah reached out to us a few weeks ago to tell us of her love of libraries and bicycle-based visits to ones around the state. In talking with Leah about the Library Land Project and her own feelings about public libraries, we realized we’d met a kindred spirit. We welcome this first post and are looking forward to more from Leah in the future!
So many library systems!
It is thrilling for me to share some of my efforts with Greg, Adam and the Library Land Project! In a world rife with problems, libraries provide so much help, joy, escape, and tools for progress. I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest on land stewarded by Coast Salish peoples since time immemorial. I love it here, and I love our libraries.
I belong to six library systems and have been photographing them since… well before the pandemic hit, anyway. Back in the 2000s when Seattle had recently completed its 10-year library revitalization plan, I attended a talk with representatives of the architectural firm that designed the Seattle Central Library. This talk really solidified the diversity and number of roles that different libraries provide across communities with different, but overlapping needs.
The Seattle Public Library.
I have been exploring libraries for my whole life, but began to visit as many as I could in earnest about four years ago --mostly by bicycle. Bicycles and libraries are a really good fit. They’re an environmentally-light way to travel and a great way to get to know a community. So is a quick glance at a library bulletin board, or a stroll through a local librarian’s division of L-Space (explained here by Terry Pratchett). It’s easy to stop and snap a picture of the little things you find if you’re not rushing through in a car.
I’m based in Ballard, Washington, on land and water of the Duwamish Tribe, past and present.
Bikes allow a different view of a community.
Leah’s library passport.
Rosemary at the Ballard Branch.
The Ballard Branch of the Seattle Public Library is where I exchange my copious hold items, chat with the library workers, and watch in wonder as they serve the community. That engagement and service seems to be what keeps them fired up and motivated. The Ballard Branch is also right next to a major Seattle bike trail, the Burke-Gilman.
A very marine library.
Ballard has deep connections with marine communities, from Indigenous canoe culture and reef netting to the many Nordic peoples that settled here who make their living from the sea - and there is room here in Ballard’s L-Space for me, too!
Even during the pandemic closures, some libraries - including Ballard - have stayed partially-open so unhoused patrons have access to restrooms and water. In our world, in our country, in our communities, we are facing abundant crises: homelessness, climate, opioid, employment. A business librarian might be able to better explain than I can how much the pandemic has hurt people. I believe a library should respond. Maybe Seattle will follow the example of San Francisco Library’s Lava Mae free mobile showers, or the number of library branches that now have on-site social workers ready to direct patrons to the social services and resources they need. I’m impressed by the San Diego Central Library’s Veteran’s Resource centers and Homeless & Mental Health Outreach offices. In these trying times. we need to reach people where they are and help.
Unhoused in January.
There are a number of curbside services on offer at Ballard for all patrons, including those like me who are luckily housed. Five days a week, you can pick up your holds or a grab bag of genre books or a new release “peak pick.” You can print up to 10-page documents for free, ask a question, or connect with a needed resource through a dedicated library worker.
Under its sweeping green roof, Ballard houses many marvels. In many ways, libraries are helping pump the heart of this “creature” society, and keep it as healthy as possible throughout our travels and trials. You might consider ways to help support this library system here.
For libraries to serve their role, it’s about understanding what’s needed and finding the courage and ingenuity to provide it. It’s amazing and essential work!
I’ve enjoyed this opportunity to introduce myself and my love of libraries. My community is vibrant, but not without its troubles. I really think libraries are playing a critical role in opportunity, equity, and positive social change. I look forward to checking in with Library Land Project readers to share more thoughts and where my biking library adventures take me. Thanks again to Greg and Adam for sharing this forum. In many ways, sharing and helping is what a library does. More to come!