When I think about where my love for reading started, it always leads me back to my public library.
I began my interest in reading in the 3rd grade with my mom’s copy of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” That book sparked my love for all things magical and otherworldly, and I was filled with a feeling that could only be found through the pages I held in my hands. My newfound love for reading and constant need for new books left my bookshelves overflowing, and my parents unable to keep up with me. I had soon exhausted all the options I was interested in at my elementary school’s library as most of the books only went up to about the 5th grade reading level.
The library became not only a source for me to continue my book craving, but a place where I could search for options my school didn’t provide. Being able to access these kinds of stories made me feel like I was growing into something bigger. It wasn’t always about reading, but about freedom where I could explore new genres and experiment with books thicker than anything I had ever seen.
As I got older, the library kept finding its place in my life. It became the place where I’d meet with my Speech and Debate team after school. We’d take over a table and prep for hours, building cases and running through speeches with each other. It was also where I went when I needed to get serious about homework. There was something about the quiet, steady hum of people working that helped me focus when I couldn’t anywhere else.
Looking back now, I realize that the library gave me more than books. It gave me space to grow.
That’s why it breaks my heart to see libraries in my community facing huge budget cuts this summer. These places matter not just for the books they house, but for the opportunities they create. And for kids like me, they can make all the difference.
Green Elephant Book’s fundraiser for the libraries is my way of giving back. I want to make sure that one day someone else will have the same opportunity to discover their favorite book, build their confidence, or find their voice in the same place as I did.