Today I am excited to welcome Robin Pack as a guest on the blog! As the owner of The Children's Legacy Library in Tennessee, Robin has firsthand experience with the incredible work that private lending libraries (also known as living or legacy libraries) do in communities across the country. When I saw a series of posts on her Facebook Page, I knew our readers would love learning about this fascinating aspect of library science that goes far beyond traditional book lending.
A Little Background
“Robin, have you ever thought about opening a library?” That simple question posed to her in 2001 led Robin to start The Children’s Legacy Library. She first opened the doors to a tiny library tucked in a finished basement apartment of their home in 2008. What started out as a small collection of 2,000 books has now turned into a library separate from her home with a collection of 20,000 books and growing. It has not always been easy, but her passion for sharing living books with others has kept her going through the years. Robin was a homeschooling mom with a passion for reading and quality literature who turned that passion into owning and operating her very own private lending library. I'll let Robin take it from here...
What Exactly is a Living or Legacy Library?
We all know what public libraries are and how they work. But what is a private library and why do they exist? How do they operate?
The first private library of its kind that we know of was founded in the mid 1990’s in Traverse City, Michigan by Michelle Howard who is also the author of TruthQuest History. Slowly, very slowly, a person, then two, then three caught the vision and opened their version of a private library as well. I met Michelle in August of 2001 at a small living books event. On that day, as we talked about our collections of books, she challenged me to open a library of my own. To my knowledge, my library was the fifth in the country.
Today the private library movement is exploding. There are now over 100 libraries from all over the world listed in the directory at Biblioguides. But what makes these libraries so different and so special?
How is a private lending library different from a public library?
If you ask a collector of living books what the definition of that type of book is, one of the definitions you may hear is, “It is usually written by a single author who has a passion for the subject.” Well, that’s also an excellent definition of a private lending library. A private library is usually owned and operated by a single person or family who has a passion for the type of collection they own and for lending that collection. Instead of a public institution with government funding, private libraries share the books carefully collected, sometimes over many years, to member families in their area.
The owners of these private libraries are very knowledgeable about the books they own. Because they are able to build a relationship with the families who become members, they can make personal recommendations for books that would appeal to each and every child. In my library, I have been able to walk alongside patron families from the time their children are very young to the time they graduate and beyond. It’s a special bond we share.
Public libraries are important to a culture. But as is true for many aspects of our modern culture, things are changing rapidly. Often families are disappointed in the offerings at the public library. Because private libraries are not driven by current agendas, they are able to carefully curate a collection of books that aligns with their values. Patron families feel their children are safe to browse the shelves and choose the books they are most interested in.
How do private lending libraries operate and what do they offer?
Since each is a private library owned by individuals, each library will be as different as the personalities of the owners. These are not cookie cutter institutions nor are they affiliated with one another.
In general, though, most private libraries charge a modest membership fee for the privilege of borrowing books. The individuals or families who own these libraries have invested enormous amounts of time and resources to assemble these libraries and membership fees do not remotely begin to cover the cost of the financial investment, let alone time.
Most private libraries have limited set hours weekly or monthly or are by appointment only. Again, these are individuals and families who own and operate the libraries, and it has to work into the schedules of the owners. My library generally is open one full week per month.
Locations vary for each library. Many library owners have carved out a space in their home to house the library. For the first 15 years of operation, I was blessed to have mine in a finished apartment in my basement. Now it is located in a remodeled detached garage on my new property. Some owners rent a space while others are located in a church.
Each library varies in what they offer to member families. Books, of course, are the main fare. Some libraries are relatively small with several hundred to a few thousand excellent volumes. Others are very large with tens of thousands. Most of the libraries focus on what is called “living books”. Some carry curriculum and manipulatives. Some libraries offer pre-assembled totes of books in various topics which make it easy for member families to check out books-to-go. For example, my library, in addition to 20,000 living books, features Five in a Row totes, Read-Aloud Revival totes, Wonder Boxes, and Picture Book Preschool pouches. Some libraries even offer regular events such as book clubs, seminars, writing classes, craft classes, etc. As you can see, each library is unique and special, just as every library owner is unique and special.
How can you be involved in the work of private lending libraries?
I’ve discussed the history of private living books lending libraries, what they are and why we need them, as well as how they operate. I want to conclude by looking at how you can be involved.
Private libraries exist to serve. Each and every owner/librarian is so passionate about the books they have collected over the years and about getting those books into the hands of families. Without families to loan to, the books will just sit on the shelf. So, becoming a member first and foremost is the primary way to be involved.
One thing to keep in mind is that most private libraries are a “one-woman show.” Most often one person, usually the mom, collects the books, repairs the books, shelves the books, pulls book requests for member families, re-shelve books, enters books into the database, sends emails to member families, interacts with member families, vacuums the library, cleans the bathroom, and let’s not forget, re-shelve the books. The jobs are never ever ending. Plus, the other obligations of her life. What a blessing it is when someone offers to come alongside to help. It takes some training to become a volunteer, but the rewards are vast. Sometimes teens are looking for volunteer hours or families are looking for a way to invest in a worthy project. Consider investing your time in a private library near you.
I mentioned above that most private libraries charge a nominal membership fee each year. Let me assure you, what is collected in fees does not come close to covering the expenses of running the library. Not to disclose too much information, but my expenses this library year exceeded income by over $14,000. That amount came out of my own pocket. Why would I and other private librarians do this? We believe in this mission. Strongly.
How to help? Maybe team up with other families and host a fundraiser or yard sale to benefit a private library. Small donations are certainly welcome, and I can assure you they would be poured right back into the library for more books and supplies.
While the private library movement is in its infancy, I believe it will be critical to the culture in the coming years. I encourage you to find and support a library near you. If there’s not one, maybe start one!
Thank you, Robin for sharing your story and knowledge of these wonderful, private libraries. You can find more information about The Children’s Legacy Library on their website and Facebook Page.
For a list of private, living lending libraries across the country, visit: Biblioguides.com/libraries. To find out more about living books and why they are so important in a child’s education, visit my blog post entitled: Living Books: What Are They & Why Children Should Read Them.
Happy Reading,
Wendy
Leave a comment