I've worked for Seattle Public Library for 15 years but am not your typical bookworm. Growing up, my parents were too busy scratching out a living to take me to the library~typical poor immigrant experience I think. However, as a young adult I discovered the wonder that is the library and discovered my love for many things including poetry, art, and music. I have developed an inexplicable feeling of security being surrounded by so many books and having access to so much information.
I value and appreciate how a library gives one the "opportunity" to explore life outside of ones own realm of experience. I mean how else would I have discovered Japanese death poems, the art of Gustav Klimt, or famous opera arias?
Because of the life changing impact that libraries have had for me, I have dedicated myself to faciliating a connection between immigrant families~especially children and libraries.