In Praise of Libraries (and the Quiet Magic They Hold)

Julie Bolejack

08 Apr 2025 — 3 min read

There weren’t a lot of luxuries in the small town where I grew up—but we had a library. And let me tell you, that little building held more treasure than any mall, movie theater, or shiny new gadget ever could. It was where I first discovered the joy of getting completely lost in a story, the thrill of looking something up just because, and the quiet satisfaction of feeling like I belonged in a room full of books.

I’m 72 now, and just last Friday I was in my local library again. Still quiet. Still full of discovery. Still free. Imagine that—free. In a world where just about everything comes with a price tag and a subscription fee, our libraries are still standing strong, offering knowledge, refuge, and inspiration for anyone who walks through their doors.

So this is my gentle reminder to you: support your local libraries. Check out a book. Attend a program. Thank a librarian. Vote for funding when it’s on the ballot. These spaces are more than buildings—they are lifelines. They are community hubs, safe havens, and launch pads for curious minds of all ages.

The library gave me the world when I was young. I plan to keep walking through those doors as long as I can. I hope you do too.

Julie Bolejack, MBA

Enjoy this collection of library humor:

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I Had No Idea I’d Despise So Many People (And Yet, Here We Are)

I did not know Kerri Grote

BREAKING: The Billionaire Breakup of the Century

Emergency Means Emergency — Unless You’re a Woman in Trump’s America