Sunday, October 31, 2010
In the summer of 1953 a Great Recession hit our family, when my dad lost his job as a foreman at a steel mill in Buffalo, N.Y., forcing our family of five boys and two girls to move back to our parents’ hometown of Youngstown. To us kids it was a great adventure, but to our parents it was terrifying, with my dad’s age of 43 being a huge factor against him getting a job with the same pay level. We moved in with my mom’s brother and his family, who lived in Smoky Hollow.
In New York I had a best friend named Michaeline, and I missed her so much that we became pen pals for many years. But it just wasn’t the same thing as having a nearby friend. I was 7 years old, going into third grade. There were two girls around my age living on our short street, but they were already friends with each other and had no urge to befriend the newcomer. So one day I decided to look elsewhere for friendship.
Putting on my best Sunday outfit, including hat, gloves and purse, I was filled with the spirit of adventure as I walked up the path next to our home at the end of Wade Street. At the top of the path, was a gravel parking lot, then traffic and finally an area that was a cornucopia of castles. To the left of me was St. John’s Episcopal Church and across from me was Youngstown College’s Main Building. Up the street was another amazing looking structure with a statue of an Indian out front (The Butler Art Museum). I didn’t know which way to go, which one to explore first. Just then the bells of St. John’s started striking the hour, and I knew that was the direction I had to follow, so I walked down that side of the street until I came to a building with the words Reuben McMillan Free Library above the doors. Not knowing what a library was, I decided to investigate. Going through those doors would change my life forever.
The word “Children” was on the right side wall going down stairs, so that’s where I ended up, after taking a tour throughout the whole building, especially enjoying walking on the glass floors on the second floor. When I finally reached the children’s section I was thrilled to see so many wonderful books for me to read. Starting on the right side I soon realized those books were for babies, so I worked my way around to a section of books which had no pictures but plenty of interesting words, and I soon got lost in a story. After what seemed like an eternity, a kind woman came over to me and told me that the library was soon closing, and I had to leave. I wanted to live there forever. She must have seen the look of despair on my face, because she told me I could take the books with me, if I had a library card. I told her that I had recently moved to the area and had no library card. When she asked if I could sign my name and I responded yes ... well, the rest is history.
My new friends would be Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, John Steinbeck and others too numerous to list. The love of reading is like a vitamin for the soul, nourishment for the spirit. Reading gave me self-confidence and made me a more interesting person who attracted many friends. Then my life came full circle, as I became a published author, writing, “My Dad Was So Mean: A Memoir Of One Of The World’s Oldest Baby Boomers” and the children’s book, “Kevie Keanu’s Walk With Nana,” even having a book signing at the Poland Library.
The libraries of Youngstown and Mahoning County made it all possible. Now they need my help in inspiring you to vote for the library levy. Wealthy kids don’t need the library, having books and computers, CDs and DVDs in their homes, but the rest of us need the best libraries available. The library changes lives for the better . . . it did mine. Please vote yes on Issue 4.
Betty Parks, New Middletown