Hello Bookworms and Library enthusiasts (nerds, I think my son added that,lol)

This is who I am…

I have been told there are creeps on the internet (advice from my sons 19,24, of course they know more than I do about this… ), so call me Fern. I am a literacy specialist serving students of low socio economic means in an American city school.  I love, love what I do. Every day (during the school year) I work with the lowest 20% of every grade level, teaching students to read, love reading, making reading meaningful for them. I have been an educator for 20+ years. A single mother for 25 years, raising two successful young men, who yes study and use the library, finding it a safe haven for their studying/academic needs. My eldest upon graduation from college, needed to study for a final credit, took me to the library by his father’s house, went up to the librarian got the key for the study room (his study room), sent me to get a book, settled in, studying for his exam gracefully kicking me out to roam his library, finding treasures and books to read. As a mother and educator,  the fact that my guys know how to access the library, find safe study spaces, rent first apartment close to the library, has brought me great joy, knowing they love, know how to access and use the library… who could ask for more? 

How did my love of literacy and libraries begin?

My love for libraries began as a youngster. My parents were ministers, poor, believing that television was of the devil. My sweet mama would take us once a week to the library. She opened book and told me to read the first paragraph, if it grabbed me within that first page it was a keeper, take it and read it. I read, transported to otherworlds becoming a voracious lifelong reader. As a family we checked out the old school movie reels, forbidden treats, a movie projector these were our family nights. We also checked out games to play as a family (not as popular). As an adolescent the library was a place I would escape. My parents would allow me to go to the library, check out books and spend time unsupervised. As a divorced single young mom it was a place to take my guys. My love affair with the library has been a lifelong venture, one that has fed my soul, kept me safe when life was chaotic. A quiet place of rest and respite. 

Dream in a folder….

I have been carrying around my dream in a folder, in my purse for the last few months. What next has been the question as I am coming to the end of my dissertation. Everyone asks what next?  Well, my boys are raised, living for them seems a little silly. They have their lives, which has been my dream, successful happy men. Now as a single mom, literacy specialist, doctoral candidate, I am answering the question what next… I still want to be a reading specialist but adding a new dimension is the dream. Summers… Being a nerd, reading/literacy specialist, what do I love? Books, the smell of them, lives lived, so finding the article 20 most beautiful libraries in America gave me breath. I mapped it out, developed a budget (which I have blown) but it is there. Living in me, I want to visit these places, then the ultimate… London. 

Today is Christmas, 2019. I am 51, drinking and playing cards with my son. I spilled my soul, dream and you know what?  He wanted to see it. Read it, while I ran to the potty. He read my dream, looked at my map, asked to see my budget. He called off the game, opened his computer. Write mom, let’s plan it (his command).  He thought it was cool and is on board with me making it a reality. So how? How? Well step one seems to share the dream. Next, write, write, write so I am.

Step one Share. With who? You. 

Here goes…. 

Breath, first step, share.

Sharing in blog format…

My goal is over spring break to take the train to Chicago,spend the night,  visit the Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago, ILL and begin my journey. Why? Because I can. I love books, they feed my soul. As a mom I took my sons to the library, it was free, we learned so much, books are my friends. My goal when visiting is to experience the neighborhoods surrounding the libraries, pubs, local attractions get the vibe of the locale. Libraries are the hub of the community, they offer lifelines to young families, lost souls, marginalized humanity, a place for educators and education. My people. I am that mom who got all the free coupons, used the zoo passes, museum coupons, free pizzas and funded my summers. Visiting libraries across America is my homage to a life well lived, living on a shoestring, educating my guys. It is now my turn to see how others fare in different communities in the safe space where I learned to breathe, it cost me nothing and provided me everything. Maybe traveling to libraries is a safe way to spread my wings while remaining grounded. See the world, while doing what I love. Crazy… maybe …dream… goal

And then…

Next stop William W Cook Historical Library in Ann Arbor, MI would be June, beginning of summer. It is a little farther, five hour drive. Yet with Chicago under my belt venturing to the Ann Arbor, MI location may be doable. 

I would love to do an east coast trip and a west coast trip visiting…

For now, I will formally check in after Chicago. Now to plan, write, share… blog?

Cheers,

-Fern 

LNBW

The World Awaits…

— not sure if someone said it, I am

Step 1 share. ✓ I am thanks for reading, please join me on this grand adventure. Even if it fails it will be fun, omg I am doing this…

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.