On Libraries by Paula Avila-Otazo

Look at the picture above.

That is my nightstand, and those are just some of the books that I am reading right now. By all accounts I am a bookworm, it’s true, but I would go deeper. I consider myself a lifelong learner and reading is the way I do it.
I must admit that while growing up I was not particularly fond of reading books. When I was 11 years old, my father took it upon himself to get me interested in reading more. Being an avid reader himself, he could not fathom the idea of his children not loving books. At first, I was bribed into it. Yes, I was paid to read books, and I got paid more if I wrote a short summary of the book. It’s funny to think how in the beginning, I was motivated by a few dollars to buy sweets, rather than the book itself. But little by little I found myself being magically transported to other worlds with every different story I read. Soon enough I was devouring books one after the other, until I realized I was reading for the pleasure of reading. Of course, by that time I stopped getting paid to do it, but my father’s plan had worked: I was positively hooked.

A flame was ignited and so began my love-affair with books and by addition, libraries. Unfortunately, public libraries are not as common in my native Bolivia as they are in Canada or other parts of the world. Of course, I had books at home because of my father's love for them and I could visit my school´s library, but I did not get the chance to access the wonderful world of public libraries until I travelled abroad.

Here in Canada public libraries are plentiful and very well equipped. That is one of the things I love most about living here. For me, libraries are not only an immense source of knowledge and entertainment, I believe they also bring the community together because they are open to everyone. Nowadays libraries offer more than just books. Magazines, music, movies, digital downloads, eBooks, programs and classes for all ages are offered every single day. And most importantly they are free.

A quick trip to the Hamilton Central Library a few weeks ago (which inspired me to write this piece) opened my eyes to an amazing array of options and technology available at our fingertips. You can book time to use the Makerspaces where, for example, a green room is the perfect place to make a film and digitally add any background later on. A music room is there so you can either practice on an instrument or record your own music. Additionally, there´s state-of-the-art equipment and software that enable 3D prints as well as an embroidery machine that allows any project to look professional. Those are just a few activities people can do, and the possibilities are endless. A quick browse to the local library’s website will show that there is an extensive list of other services too. For example, one of the services that stood out for me was the access to platforms such as Lynda.com, which according to their website “is an online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.” With a library card you can get free access to these amazing tools and more.

Furthermore, I am amazed with the great work that librarians do. Librarians are well trained, resourceful and knowledgeable professionals, who I believe are the key link between the enormous wealth of information a library is and the community it serves. Librarians are capable of closing the gap between generations, helping people catch up with how fast this technological world is advancing as well as engaging the younger generations with the enjoyment and delight of reading a book.

Personally, every time I visit my local library, I’m eager to pick up the book I ordered weeks ago or simply browse and look for my next adventure. I enjoy spending time looking at books, touching them, and asking myself “What’s next?”. As a newcomer to Canada I understand the value of using the library as a tool to improve on a personal level and I think it’s one of the first places you should visit if you are new to Canada or even if you have lived here for many years. I encourage you to make use of the wonderful world of knowledge that is freely available to all of us. And since libraries are oriented to the whole family, it is the perfect place for children to acquire a taste for learning and foster creativity. If you have children, I don't encourage you to pay them to read. It worked for me, but I see how it could´ve easily not worked out. Instead, take them to the library, make it a friendly and happy place for them to be because libraries inspire us and give us a sense of community, like no other place can.

1 Hamilton Public Library www.hpl.ca
2 Lynda.com. Date March 22, 2018. https://www.lynda.com/aboutus/

Paula Avila-Otazo attended the Workplace Preparation Program at Mohawk College from January to April 2018. She holds a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Bolivia and an MBA from Spain, where she lived and worked the last 11 years. She moved to Canada in 2017, where she plans to pursue a career in Marketing.