Reflection on site visit to Auburn Public Library

When I contacted Lynn Lockwood, APL's Director, regarding my visiting the library, she was warm and welcoming and I knew I had made the right choice. Why did I select this library to begin with? I'm not entirely sure. I have driven by this beautiful building many times and as a fan of historical architecture, was always intrigued by its exterior. That may have something to do with it, but whatever the reason, I made the right choice.

When I emailed Lynn to confirm the date of my visit, she emailed me back and included a piece of an article (source unnamed) that had been sent to her. This, said Lynn, succinctly sums up APL's philosophy. To summarize, the brief paragraph asserts that before the internet, libraries were defined by their books. Now with the introduction and utilization of technology, the focus has shifted away from books and on to people who use the technology. This causes a ripple effect within a community as its members evolve into information seekers whose needs must be met.

I see APL as meeting this need. Driving by this library one sees an old, yet beautifully maintained, building. A library with solid roots and a foundation within its community. But rather than reaching a point of satisfaction and completion where one might say, "Well, we've done what we can and that's that," instead this library is as restless as the ghosts some say reside within. It seems to say, what next? What else can we do to meet the needs of our patrons? What other grants can we explore? What other space can we make the most of?

This is a vibrant library in a supportive community. It encourages all generations in its programming and collections and meets their unique needs with the most appropriate and latest technology. If I visited this library in one year, five years, ten years, I have no doubt that it would have kept up with the technological innovations that will have been introduced by then.

I can't prove whether ghosts live among the stacks, but what I can attest to is that the spirit of community is alive and well within the Auburn Public Library.