I had been promising the kids for some time that we would visit the new library that had recently opened up in Wooster. It boasted many new things including a larger children’s area, more computers and self check-out terminals. The kids couldn’t wait to get a peek inside and frankly neither could I.
As promised the children’s area was magnificent. None of the kids wanted to leave it. I thought it might be a bit overwhelming with all the different things to see and do but then again, we weren’t there to check out books that day, just get comfortable in the new surroundings and explore.
While we were exploring the children’s area, Bug and Shorty were looking over all the examples of prizes that could be won during the summer reading program which we are involved in, of course! We didn’t really notice (as we were debating McD’s coupons for free fries over ice cream – you know where my money is on this right?) when a lady snapped a picture of the three of us! Turns out she is a reporter with the local paper and wanted to use our picture for an article she is doing on the summer reading program. (YEA!) She talked to me briefly and asked me some questions… I am glad to say that I had my smart cap on and gave my most intelligent answers for this. With my most knowledgeable and educated mom look, I gave the kind of quotes that make teachers melt, editors yell “Print It”, and libraries ecstatic to know they are serving the community well.
Now don’t I look like mom of the year?
Yes.
I think I do (toot, toot that is the sound of me tooting my own horn in case you missed it).
*We’ll skip the part about me threatening their little lives and the rest of their summer livelihood if they yelled, ran, acted up, or touched anyone or anything they weren’t supposed to.*
This was such a treat for me knowing that I am asking others the right questions when I interview them for a freelance piece I am doing for my little community paper and I now know that I am going about getting people’s pictures correctly too.
Should we make it into the paper and it shows up online, I will be sure to post the link later on!
But the fun didn’t stop there!
I was thrilled to see that this was the only library within a 30 mile distance from me that offered both Writer’s Digest Magazine AND The Writer. (Both well known Industry magazines for freelance writers and authors).
I picked up a couple of older copies to check out and settled down in a very comfy chair of the children’s section to devour them like a woman sneaking the forbidden chocolate during her diet.
What I found was my second and most exciting/humbling surprise. In this month’s (July) copy of The Writer, is an article on how to find experts for your topics. Right there in a sidebar quotation is none other than Lori from Words on The Page. Seriously. I was blown away. I called out “OH MY GOD” to no one in particular but Bug answered anyway and came over to see why I was calling out to God.
When I explained to him that Lori is a blogger and freelance writer whom I not only read and am a big fan of but she also reads my blog, he looked at me a tad bit confused (as if to say… “And so?”) and so I had to put in 11 year old terms.
To me, I just feel honored that someone like Lori (expert writer herself) takes the time to read my little blog and leave me great comments. It was a real thrill to see her quoted in the magazine (and I can say, Hey! I know that expert being quoted)!
That just goes to show you the library has more to offer than a great play area and books.
You never know who is going to want to quote you and you never know when you’ll be reading quotes by someone you know and admire.