I don’t remember the first time I entered a library. If I’d known the important role this place would play in my life when I walked through the door that first day I would have taken pictures or written something in a journal, so I could have a record of the day my life changed.
Since I have no record, I’ll have to imagine the feeling, but that’s not difficult. Every time I enter a library I feel the same. The best way to describe it is appreciative closely followed by excited and complete. I always feel I’m in place of possibilities, a place where ideas are waiting, where words crafted by some of our greatest writers are available for me to enjoy.
Our libraries are feeling the pinch of the economic woes reducing hours, staff, acquisitions, so when I was invited to participate in this Library Challenge I accepted. Here’s how you can help your local library as well as others in the U.S.
1)Between March 23 and March 27 leave a comment here on The Write Game. For every comment I will donate $1 to the Los Gatos Public Library up to $75. If I get more comments I will up that commitment, but I’d rather raise than lower my goal.
2) Follow this link to Writer Jenn where you’ll find an index to bloggers around the U.S. who have joined in this Challenge. Leave a comment on any or all of these blog sites and those bloggers will donate to the library of their choice.
3)I’m adding another small incentive. I’ll choose two random comments with the sentence, I WANT A BOOK, included. To those people I’ll send a signed copy of Sliding on the Edge.
I’ll announce the winners in a March 28th post so they can send me their snailmail addresses and if they have any special requests for what I write in their books.
4)You can also help by sending this link to five friends and asking them to take part in this event.
Thanks to all of you who stop by and help me meet my goal. Wish me
Beth says
Hey Lee, I missed your 3/27 cut off. Sorry! But you know I follow you anyhow ;). Way to support a great cause, and you seemed to have gotten lots of responses.
bethfred.com
Joyce Lansky says
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I want a book. Thanks for helping a library.
C. Lee McKenzie says
IT'S OVER. THAT LADY JUST SANG. WE ACTUALLY WENT OVER BY 2 IF I COUNT THE FB POSTS, BUT SEEING IT HAPPEN HERE ON THE BLOG WAS THE BEST.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
AND THE LOS GATOS PUBLIC LIBRARY THANKS YOU AS WELL.
Diana Dang says
Great idea!
I WANT A BOOK :3
faked_sugartone at hotmail
nanmarino says
How wonderful of you to do this. Libraries are so essential and they need help now. These budget cuts hurt so many people.
Kelsey says
Great idea! I'm number 98 (I think) so close to 100! 🙂
N.R. Wick says
Oooh! You are getting so close! Libraries are so awesome, and so are you for donating! I hope you reach your mark!
Also, I WANT A BOOK!
The Brain Lair (KB) says
C.Lee you nailed it! Everyday I thank my lucky stars that I get to work in a library. I'm one of the few that get to keep their jobs next year, although it will be slightly different. Library are awesome!
Brimful Curiosities says
We visit our library weekly and we are also participating: http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com/2010/03/2010-library-loving-blog-challenge-you.html
Mariah says
This is such a great idea! Thanks for helping the Libraries!!!!
Marla Warren says
I couldn’t live without libraries.
I'm participating in the library blog challenge, though I've gotten a bit of a late start:
Michael Crichton’s Recommended Reading – Library Promo
Jess says
All this library love makes me so happy! Good luck!
Oh, and I totally want a book!
Heidi Estrin says
What a mitzvah!
Grier says
I, too, love the library. Good luck with the challenge!!
Shana Norris says
I love libraries!
edwin says
Hi Cheryl,
This is the easiest thing I've been asked to do this week :-
Kudos to you for your efforts.
Thanks,
Edwin
Kami says
This sounds like a great challenge and I'm glad you are approaching your new and higher goal! Just a few more to go. When I want a book, I go to the library! I live in a small town so I glad that our libraries are starting a loan program where you can borrow books from across the state. Hope you get to 100 soon!
captainstupendous says
Good luck on the last SIXTEEN comments, Lee! I'm 100% behind this effort – libraries are a vital resource for our society, we simply must support them as much as we can.
– Mike Jung
captainstupendous says
Good luck on the last SIXTEEN comments, Lee! I'm 100% behind this effort – libraries are a vital resource for our society, we simply must support them as much as we can.
– Mike Jung
C. Lee McKenzie says
Well everybody, I made it past my 75 mark and I didn't think I'd do that. This is so exciting and I really appreciate each and every one of your comments.
I still have one more day on this challenge, so here's the plan. I'll try for 100 and donate $100 if I make it. If you have a friend who hasn't dropped by, send them over. Wish me luck on this last 17 comments.
Tina Stolberg says
You're way past your $75 mark, but I wanted to say thanks. I went to get a tax form from my town's main post office and they said, "Go to the Library." It figures. Should have thought to go there first!
Lauree Ostrofsky says
Thank you for commenting on the Reflective Renewal blog for the challenge. This is exciting! Libraries are so special.
Lauree
Heather Kelly says
I donate a lot to my library in late fees. 🙂 I love this. And I want a book! Thanks!
Sarah Quigley says
I luvs me the library! Go, Lee!
P.S. Great to see you tonight.
Ishta Mercurio says
Every town, no matter how small, should have a library.
Good luck!
My library-loving post is at http://www.ishtamercurio.blogspot.com
And I WANT A BOOK!
Jessica Lee Anderson says
Lots of library love! The Texas Sweethearts are participating in the challenge as well: http://texassweethearts.blogspot.com/2010/03/library-loving-blog-challenge.html
Brodie says
Thanks for showing your support to libraries! This is such a great challenge, it's inspiring to see so many people take part 🙂
bqdell says
Good luck! And I WANT A BOOK!
Becker says
Thanks for supporting libraries!
Claudia says
I love libraries! This is an excellent thing you’re doing, Lee. I’m happy that my comment will help a bit 😀
Erin says
Yay libraries! Thank you for your support.
Polly Calicoat says
I remember the first time I entered the mystical, magical world of a library. So many books so little time. I passed the fascination on to my kids. Now, whenever they think,'I want a book,' we head to our nearest library. Unfortunately due to county cutbacks we're losing 12 libraries next month. You're doing a great thing. Yay libraries.
Christine says
Like you, I have always loved libraries. As a child, I adored the musty aroma of the building, and I was mesmerized by the FREE stacks of books! Thanks for doing this challenge. Libraries need our help now more than ever.
Susan Quinn says
Yay, for the libraries, and for you for donating!
Janet Ann Collins says
A local TV station recently ran a six hour marathon to benefit our local libraries and there's now a donation jar on the check-out counter. Maybe other libraries could try those things.
Lara Zielin says
Best. Challenge. Evar. Good luck, and three cheers for libraries!
Deborah Underwood says
Great idea–thanks for doing this!
sruble says
Yay for libraries! 🙂
Deanna Gibbons says
I love libraries! I start taking my kids from the time they are babies and we go almost every weekend! Now all 5 loves books as much as I do!
Joanne Johnson says
I have so many great memories of libraries. With four boys–libraries are a lifesaver.But not only for books. There are great programs, kids activities and speakers (including authors!).One of my kids had his artwork on display at the library. The computers are fantastic and I've used the wireless internet many times. Libraries rock!
jama says
Yay for libraries!
The Book Junkie's Bookshelf says
Good luck with the challenge! Oh yeah, I WANT A BOOK.
Pamela says
This is great Cheryl, what a wonderful idea. Thank you. Library's rock!!!
Cheryl Renee Herbsman says
Yay for libraries and yay for you 😀
April (BooksandWine) says
This is such a fabulous thing to do! Whenever I want a book, I turn to the library 🙂
Beverly Stowe McClure says
This is a great idea. Our libraries are so important, more so now than ever before, I think. Thanks for doing your part.
Kelly says
Kids want books, and I want a book, too! 🙂
So sweet of you, Lee, to help out your library like that. I go to my library 2-3 times a month. My kids love the library too!
theartgirl says
Hooray for libraries!
coll
Anonymous says
This is a good idea. Hope all goes well. Missed you today on puch up day!
Brodie says
I applaud you and everyone else participating in such a great cause! It's so generous and shows how much we love our libraries.
I want a book! Only if that part is open internationally 🙂
Kristin Tubb says
Thank you for supporting your local library! Great idea!
-Kristin Tubb
Samantha Bennett says
Sending you some library love!
Caitlin says
Sorry, don't have time to leave a creative comment, I'm headed to the LIBRARY!
Barbara Dee says
Such a great idea, Lee! Where would we all be without our libraries? Ours is the heart of our town.
Oh, and while we're on the subject of books, I WANT A BOOK!
Travis McKenzie says
i love the library too, scanned books at google are great, but not a replacement for paper
Vonna says
Libraries build communities!
Tracy says
This is wonderful, Lee. Our library holds a big sale every year on "retired" books, and we always go and spend a lot of money to support them. We need libraries!
Plus, I also WANT A BOOK!!!
Taffy says
Hi library-loving blogger! I wish my library was bigger so it could hold more books!
Plus! I WANT A BOOK 🙂
Here is my challenge:
http://taffyscandy.blogspot.com/2010/03/library-loving-blog-challenge.html
BonSue Brandvik says
I love libraries, too!
If you get a chance, stop by and leave a comment:
http://spiritsofbelleviewbiltmore.blogspot.com/2010/03/library-loving-blog-challenge.html
BonSue Brandvik
Spirits Of Belleview Biltmore
cyn says
What a great cause! You are great!
Jody Feldman says
I don't remember my first library experience either. But I do remember the wonderment of seeing so many books in one place. Amazing.
Judith Mercado says
Thank you for loving libraries and good luck on your challenge.
Anonymous says
Great idea. With the new town library in the works, they are going to need all the help they can get. Perhaps the money can help expand their talk programs as well as books and librarians. I think my wife and I have donated 100 books for every one we have checked out or bought on the shelves, but I definitely want to read yours.
GMR says
What a wonderful way to give back to the "institution" that makes reading a pasttime one and all can enjoy. Thanks for letting us be a part of this too! =0)
Chelsea says
This is great! Major kudos to you for donating to something so worthwhile.
Kristen says
Oh you are so awesome! I'm an elementary school librarian but have worked at a public library and this is such a fantastic thing to do!!! 🙂 I will definitely be spreading the word! Thanks for supporting the library!
Janet Fox says
Hi – Thanks for coming by my blog – returning the favor! 🙂
Carol J. Garvin says
This is such a great idea! I'm so glad Jenn passed the idea around. I know the libraries that benefit will appreciate the extra funds. Thanks for participating. 🙂
Carol Garvin
Lisa Green says
This is awesome! I want a book! I don't ever remember not wanting a book… Anyhow, what a cool post and Yeah libraries!! My mother was a librarian! Woohoo! I'm going to go tweet and post this link…
Shannon O'Donnell says
I think this is a fabulous idea! Thanks for your generosity. 🙂
Em says
Thanks for helping your library! We need more people like you 🙂
Lauren Bjorkman says
Yay for doing this, Lee!!!
fallenleaf says
cool!! I was excited when I first got into the library I was thinking free books? whenever I want? However many I want?
declineofelmer says
That's terrific! Thank you for doing this!
holly cupala says
Spreading the library love…I'm doing the challenge at my blog, too, Holly Cupala, Tell Me a Secret (plus secret prizes)!
Margo says
Thanks for participating in the challenge!
My library-supporting blog entry can be found here: http://bit.ly/ilovelibraries
Michelle says
Yay LIBRARIES! I just joined the challenge on my blog, too.
Michelle Knudsen
Anonymous says
“When people who can read and write start fighting on behalf of people who can’t, you just end up with another kind of stupidity. If you want to help them, build a big library or something somewhere, and leave the doors open.”~Terry Pratchett, Interesting Times.
Christine Vyrnon says
Former English teacher (though i barely taught to pursue love and life instead:), current undergrad library student, future librarian… libraries are extremely important to me – so anything to help! Will Retweet link.
Beth Mithen says
I love libraries! I WANT A BOOK!
deborahfreedman says
Hurray for libraries!
Mary PB says
Great cause. I have very fond memories of going to Martin Library in York PA as a little one.
nomadshan says
Love libraries! Thanks for participating!
Linda Covella says
Yay libraires!
sharonp says
Thanks for caring about the libraries!
Rena says
What a great thing to do for local libraries. They're hurting these days, so every bit counts. My kids love going to the library. I don't remember my first visit either, but I do remember being fascinated by school libraries just as much.
Anonymous says
Thank you, fellow lover of libraries
thedragonsroost.net
robin says
Good luck with your challenge! Yay for libraries!
Alissa says
As a former library employee, a salesperson who sells books to librarians, a library volunteer and an avid library user, I can't say enough good things about libraries. They are awesome, wonderful places!
Ashley says
Yay libraries!
yabooknerd says
thanks for supporting libraries
cynjay says
Go Lee!
Sydney Salter says
Happy to join you in this challenge–and I already own a copy of your lovely novel : )
Nathan Bransford says
Go libraries go!
Sarah says
Thanks for stopping by The Writing Cave and good luck with your challenge, too! I just geeked out when I visited your website, the openening page with the books is awesome 🙂
Cari says
I love libraries!
I WANT A BOOK!!!
TinaFerraro says
I have always said that libraries are the happiest places on earth!
writerjenn says
Thank you for joining in!
Jenn Hubbard
MG Higgins says
What a worthy cause, Lee. Our local library has had to cut down on acquisitions and hours. I'm going to jump on Bish's bandwagon and enter my name for a copy of your wonderful book which I'll donate to my local library if I win.
Jeanette Larson says
Libraries deserve this kind of support! I can't imagine a life without libraries. Even when I can afford to buy–and I buy a lot–I'd often rather borrow. I don't remember my first library but it was most likely on a military base as we moved around. I could always read wherever we were in the world.
Jennifer Brown says
I love libraries! What a great cause!
paulgreci says
What a great thing to do for libraries!!
Bish Denham says
Let me be the first to post! This is a wonderful thing you and the other bloggers are doing. I wish I had the extra $$ to donate. What I do is donate books as they come my way, particularly kid books. So if I win a second copy of your book (I won it in an earlier contest)I will donate it to my small but well used local library!