You Try Arguing with an 80-Year-Old

My grandmother has been giving me books to read for years.  It started when I told her I had again fallen in love with reading.  It was the love of my childhood.  I would sit for hours on the living room floor, propped up on a pillow, pouring over a book.  I still have my original copy of Harriet the Spy. 

“Now that you are reading so much, you need to give back”, Nana said to me a couple months ago.  Nana has been a “Friend” of her local library for years.  Anyone that has a nana of their own knows it is impossible to argue with your 80 year old Nana, so, off I went to the .  I walked into the “Friends” Store and a nice woman helped me process my membership.  She spoke to me of how much she enjoyed her involvement with the Friends of the Monrovia Public Library  volunteer group.  Then, just as I was leaving she mentioned the Literacy Services Tea Fundraiser. 

Well, that was the wrong thing to tell me about!  Nana is not only my book dealer; she is my personal antiques expert.  Nana and I have been enjoying the hunt that comes with a good antique store for years.  I have been acquiring all sorts of goodies from Nana via birthdays and holidays because, well, no one else in the family loves our antiquities as much as we do!

I trotted out of the Friends Store with the Literacy Services Tea Fundraiser flyer and worked through my social circle to see who could go with me on short notice.  Nana was busy working her library book sale so she was out but I did manage to gather my dear friend from the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts . 

The day was lovely, the table settings gorgeous, the food delicious and the event was inspiring!  I left determined to find a way to volunteer in the Monrovia Public Library. It is delightful to see just how much our Monrovia Public Library appreciates those that are willing to give themselves to the purpose and promotion of reading.

 Truth be told, I thought the only thing I would be able to do was tutor.  I am not a great tutor.  I am a more of a behind the scenes kind of person and it was refreshing to find out that the library has lots of things people can do to help.  The library has volunteer opportunities with their fund-raising, technology center, publicity, after-school assistance and book repair. After going through the volunteer vetting process, I am proud to say I am spending many of my hours surrounded by many local residents and loads of books.