Tomorrow, June 29th, is National Library Advocacy Day --- a one-time-only event to be held during this year's American Library Association annual conference in direct response to local, state and federal budget cuts affecting libraries nationwide. Acting as keynote speaker is Lauren Myracle, bestselling author of over a dozen novels including TTYL, BLISS and PEACE, LOVE AND BABY DUCKS. She joins us today to answer some questions about her involvement in Tuesday's Library Advocacy Day rally on Capitol Hill, and to discuss the critical importance of this cause.
Question: How are you participating in National Library Advocacy Day and what can you tell our readers about it?
Lauren Myracle: Ooo, I get to be the warm-up act (kinda) at a rally in Washington, DC! So far, 1600 people have registered to be there. Eeeek! I will be imagining them all in the undies, à la the brilliant advice given to Marcia Brady when she was nervous about taking the test to get her driving license. Also, there will be CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES there, which slightly freaky, but mainly exciting.
Q: While this is an issue that hits close to home for many of us, was there anything in particular that prompted you to get involved?
LM: The word "library." That's all it took. Libraries are vital to our communities, to our culture, to our mental health. To my mental health, for sure! Even though the thought of giving a speech to that many people is intimidating, I was like, "What an honor, to get to speak out in support of something so important."
Q: We saw that you reached out to your readers on your blog, asking them about how libraries have impacted their lives. Can you share the most memorable story you'd received from a reader?
LM: Sure. A young woman named Luz emailed to tell me that as an immigrant to our country, she didn't know that you could borrow any book from the library. She thought you had to buy them, just like at a store. When a librarian noticed that she was coming in day after day and reading the same book (which happened to be TTYL!), she said, "Sweetie, you can check that out, you know." Luz blushed and stammered and said she didn't have enough money, and the librarian explained what it meant to check out a book and return it. All she needed was a library card. "I was amazed," Luz wrote. "I had the whole world being offered to me, and I didn't even know it."
Q: How can our readers get involved in supporting libraries?
LM: Go to them. Like, physically get themselves there and USE them, as libraries keep track of stuff like that, and high usage helps them get funding. And while your readers are there, tell them to find the teen services librarian and tell them "hi" from me!
Q: Can you share a personal library story from when you were a teen?
LM: As a freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill, my Creative Writing 101 professor told me --- in front of the entire class --- that I didn’t have the talent to become a writer, and that because of that, I hadn’t been selected to continue in the program for those wishing to major in creative writing. Where did I go as I fought back my tears and shame? My safe place: the Chapel Hill public library. I went to the kids section, to be specific, where I curled into a fetal position on a beanbag chair, pulled Ramona the Brave off the shelf, and drew strength from Ramona Quimby’s refusal to give up in what she believe in. And who approached the sniffling eighteen-year-old hiding behind the puzzles and parenting magazines, handed me a Kleenex, and said, “Beverly Cleary is the best, isn’t she?” A librarian, of course, and a very kind one at that.
Q: As an author whose work is often challenged in schools and libraries, what do you feel is at stake if these budget cuts persist and library services continue to diminish nationwide?
LM: Um, everything? While one book may not be suitable for all people, there is a perfect book out there for every individual, and books are the key to all things good and wonderful. With budget cuts, libraries have limited purchasing power, which means they're not able to buy the books they need or provide the services their patrons need. And that is NOT GOOD. So get out there and hug a librarian, peeps! And tell everyone else to get involved in fighting for libraries, too!
