I’m giving you a tissue warning with this post…
This article from Atlas Obscura piqued my interest, as an author, a community member, and a person who cares deeply about providing inspiration and encouragement for others, particularly to our most vulnerable neighbors.
A library in New Zealand was experiencing a strange circumstance – books would vanish and then reappear. They did a bit of digging and found out what was happening – the homeless who used the library as a place to go during the day would read books and hide them in place where they were unlikely to be found so that they could continue reading them the next day. If that doesn’t make your eyes tear up, I’m not sure what would. I’m happy to report that this library in New Zealand got to work providing new programs for the homeless in response to this situation.
Stories and books matter to all people in all walks of life. They carry us away. They teach us. They help us see the world through a different set of eyes and walk in a different pair of shoes. That kind of escape and discovery is needed by everyone. Writing is a service, and as writers it’s important for us to remember that. It’s a responsibility we can’t take lightly. What we write matters more than we realize.
Christa Avampato 