February Is Library Lovers Month

~ by Carol Vartuli

In the age of the Internet, we might expect fewer people to borrow books from libraries. On the contrary, Americans continue to love their public libraries.

According to The Institute of Museum and Library Services, Americans made 1.4 billion in-person visits to public libraries across the United States in 2016, the equivalent of four million visits each day, or 2,664 every minute.

In fact, people frequent libraries more often than they go to the movies, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. And, incredibly, more people attend public library events than all Major League Baseball, National Football League, and National Basketball Association games combined.

In the United States, libraries outnumber the seemingly ubiquitous Starbucks coffee shops. There are 16,568 public libraries, including branches (Public Library Survey), compared to 14,606 corporate and licensed Starbucks locations (Starbucks Corporate Customer Relations).

Americans’ affection for their libraries is fittingly celebrated on February 14, National Library Lovers’ Day. In fact, the whole month of February is a celebration of Library Lovers.

Osborn residents are library lovers, too

There are 170 active patrons of The Osborn Library, representing 60 percent of The Osborn’s independent and assisted living residents. They enjoy three Osborn Library branches on campus.

The recently-renovated Adams Library houses regular and large print books of fiction, non-fiction, and biographies, and includes a glass-walled, four-seasons reading room which faces out to our gorgeous South Lawn and honors former Board Chair William W. Mauritz. Magazines are available, as are daily copies of The New York Times, The Journal News, and The Wall Street Journal.

The Dalphin Library is also located in the Osborn building, and contains non-fiction, biographies, and an extensive collection of art books.

Sterling Park at The Osborn is home to the 3000 Library, with its collection of large and regular print fiction, magazines, and newspapers.

A branch on the Westchester Library System tree

The Osborn Library is a branch of the Rye Free Reading Room, and, therefore, of the Westchester Library System (WLS). Osborn residents, staff, and neighbors have access to all the books and materials available throughout Westchester County, NY. Even audiobooks are available on campus when ordered from WLS.

Professional librarian Marjorie Shapiro tends The Osborn libraries and runs a monthly book group that is open to all. Library Committee volunteers assist her, and select the books to purchase each month.

Osborn residents are avid readers. According to Ms. Shapiro, one of her regulars is a 107 year-old who reads a book a week.

Ms. Shapiro enjoys getting to know her patrons and facilitating their reading habits. One service she provides is helping individuals with vision issues gain access to New York State Talking Books and Braille. This makes it possible for them to order books consolidated on a single cassette, so they don’t have to handle or read small labels on multiple cassettes.

A digital reading device, like a Kindle or Nook, can also be a boon to older readers. Not only do they weigh a fraction of a hardcover print book, but their backlit, non-glare screens and adjustable type makes the “print” size perfect for the reader. Device users can purchase digital books, but the library loans digital books as well.

Ways to celebrate your love of libraries

To demonstrate your library love this February, consider:

• Getting a library card if you do not have one, or encouraging friends and family members to get one, so they can explore the wealth of options available
• Visiting your library and taking home a book
• Enjoying quiet camaraderie with like-minded neighbors, while you read a magazine, newspaper, or book
• Stopping at one of the Osborn Library locations to wish your librarian, Marjorie, a “Happy Library Lovers’ Month”
• Volunteering to help out at your library

This month, when you see Valentine’s hearts all around you, remember that February is not just for lovers. It’s also for Library Lovers.