THE library

Oh…my…goodness. The Cincinnati Public Library was 542,527 square feet of homeschooling delight! It had a four story bridge connecting the two buildings of five floors (three user floors each)! On the first floor was the “Popular Library” which had thousands of DVD’s, music CD’s, and all the most read books, fiction and non-fiction. I got lost in the Documentary section of the DVD’s, while my non-reading husband, who is convinced he doesn’t need to learn anything outside of his job and Videography, explored the massive collection of popular TV series and movies collection. I let my fingertips brush over the History Channel, Discovery Channel, A & E, and Answers in Genesis DVD’s…not just a few but rows of them! To Rodney, this field trip was a snorefest, but to me it was heaven!

My eyes grew big as I explored huge reading rooms and reading nooks on every floor, 100 public access computers with internet, a huge children’s library, an impressive “Teenspot” library, TWO large non-fiction libraries, a genealogy library, and special learning centers for scholarship search, college comparisons, SAT prep and SO much more. I know I sound like a radio commercial but to know that I was only thirty minutes away to one of the largest libraries in the United States was exciting. You must remember though, that back in Jackson, GA, I was driving thirty minutes to nearby Covington just to have access to a few more classical books-on-tape for Michelle, my dyslexic, auditory learner.

Reading the “Get acquainted to your new library” pamphlet the librarian gave me, I learned I now had online access to hundreds of books-on-tape…I don’t even have to go to the library for dozens of classical digital books. I even have access to a couple hundred classical and instructive videos on the internet. As I clutched my brand new Cincinnati Public Library card in my fingers, I felt my knees weaken; I felt myself going into a reader’s diabetic coma.

Providentially, on the top floor, I discovered a fairly large Grants Research library. Not only did they have hundreds of books telling you where and how to get grants for non-profit organizations, they also have software to search for grants and a free three hour class for those beginning to learn the process. Before I left my position as interim director of Life Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, I promised new director, Judy Hodges, and chairman of the board, Kelly Wood (both founders and beloved friends of mine) that I would continue to hold a position at the center even though I would be in Cincinnati. I would be their Grants Researcher! I take my first Grant class on Tuesday. The Lord taketh away….but the Lord giveth…blessed be the name of the Lord.