I seldom travel without visiting local libraries, and last week in Omaha was no exception. The W. Dale Clark Library wasn’t architecturally spectacular, not like the one in Nashville, Boston, or NYC. Still, it was bright, spacious and clean, had comfy sitting places, and, most
importantly, had kind and helpful staff.

Unlike an overwhelming bookstore, libraries have sorted through available titles and chosen a variety of the best. I can sit and read a few pages of one, two, or three books and never feel pressured to purchase one. They aren’t for sale. They are only there for patrons to enjoy, browse, or borrow.

Children’s areas are in every library I’ve visited. They are always colorful and whimsical. I often feel like I’m viewing a child-centered Montessori school as I observe the active learning. It feeds my spirit. When I was a kid, the children’s section was in the basement of the historical Akron Library, as it was in the Old Carnegie Library in Sterling.

The most honorable practice of public libraries is they are open to every person of any race, religion, age, etc. According to a Google search, there are over 116,000 public libraries in the United States, and most operate through city property taxes. According to the 2020 General Fund Budget, the Sterling Public Library has been approved for $622,837.00. Money well spent. Mark Twain said, “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.” As a nation, we need everyone to continually replenish their
love of ideas, opinions, and stories. How better than an inviting open door policy building housing a multitude of shelves loaded with knowledge, and offering programs for people of all ages.

As we all know, mental health involves the brain. Thoughts are powerful, and alone can change tragedy to possibility, and turn a good day into a disaster. The word health primarily means we are absent of disease. Stinkin’ thinkin’ contributes to feeding disease. Learning helps
keep minds healthy. Without knowing many sides of an issue, one runs the risk of being unbalanced or radical, ignorant, and unrealistic. Without knowledge, one is less able to see options and solve problems. We gain knowledge from experience, formal education, television,
computers, family and friends, and books. Of those listed, library books offer the broadest perspective at the best value—it’s free to all. As long as we have public libraries, there is no excuse for you or me to be uninformed, bored, or imbalanced. The added bonus? We up our odds of being mentally well.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

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