Free Resources to Use: The Library in Carlsbad, New Mexico: "Reading Teachers"

“Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future”.
Ray Bradbury, American Writer, 1920 -

Who Taught You the Value and Joy of Reading?

May I presume to make several assumptions? First, you do know the value and joy of reading. And second, that the person(s) who taught you (or modelled it for you) were people in your family, teachers, or family.

For me, it was my parents, both people who not only read, but who visibly showed their pleasure while doing it. Then I had a friend in high school who was a voracious reader and he directly influenced me in developing my love for reading (unfortunately, he died in Vietnam in 1967 at the age of 20). And finally, several teacher in high school and college influence me positively about books and reading.

My wife and I have been readers well before we met each other over 36 years ago. We tried to influence our three sons--now 29, 23, and 19-- to read with varying amounts of success. It is only natural that we have been reading to our first and only grandson, now just past two years old.

On July 30, 2007, we took Jimi Campos Hoff to his first visit to the Carlsbad Public Library. Some pictures--

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While I was at the library, I noticed a kid reading while he was lying on the floor with his legs under a chair. He looked very comfortable so I excused myself rom Jimi and Grandma Chris (my wife) and went into the adult section, found a cozy spot, and laid down on the floor with my legs under a chair. The book I was reading made my eyes heavy and I dozed off for a couple minutes. Suddenly, I was awakened when a library patron with reduced vision tripped over me and hit his head on a bookshelf, knocking himself unconscious. (I made this story up just to be interesting; my wife thinks I failed; let me know in the comments what you think and remember that I am very sensitive).

Are you currently spreading the value and joy of reading to some others in your life? I certainly hope so.

Note to all Carlsbad Public Library Staff--please send me a paragraph or two about where you learned your love for the joy and value of reading to hoff_bob2003@yahoo.com If you care to aIso, include some of your favorite authors and books for a "second contribution. Please include your permission for me to publish in this blog.

Thanks. BH

What author do you think is dominating several top spots on the below bestseller list? Last name starts with an "R."

USAToday'sTop 150 Bestsellers of the Week_072907

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