Found Hospitality

Found Hospitality

Hospitality is a word which means a friendly and generous reception to everyone: from guests to strangers. Not forgetting to tack on, the entertainment of its visitors.

Let me begin with stating this is completely my view as to what I see when I visit the Manlius Library. Even when I am not there and have a question, I simply just message the Manlius Library’s Facebook page and voilà, answer received, with exclamation points included! I mean really, who doesn’t like to see those in a message?!

For those who do not have time to find what your want at the library you can go to www.ManliusLibrary.Org, where you can do a quick search/put a hold on what you want. A quick pick up at the front desk and you are all set! Though I would love to slowly walk through each aisle of books and find one that really catches my interest, most of the time that is just not possible for me. As other parents would most likely agree, bringing children to the library doesn’t usually turn out to be a calm experience anywhere outside of the children’s area. But the children’s area is great for the kids! Separate sections with closing doors, so the adult/older readers do not get disturbed by children playing. Stocked with puzzles, toy cars, and a train station! Not to forget story time for the younger children on certain days (Babies to Kindergarten) with storytellers that you can tell just love their job and the children that attend. Plus there are many more activities throughout the year to enjoy!

The older children’s section has board games, and computers with learning programs. Like ABC Mouse for Free! So many great books to catch that picky reader’s attention. The librarians even setup book displays that go along with the school’s reading list! Throughout the year there are also LEGO free play days, open servers for Minecraft lovers (my son loves!) and Family fun time to share stories of how you and your children hold a love for reading, and so much more!

The teen section is separate from everything. The teen section is setup for those who need to study. Stocked with SAT Prep material, with certain days to receive help with SAT prep. Preparing your middle/high school students to grow, and to gain the confidence needed to progress through learning.

I haven't forgot about the adults, no worry! There are book clubs for those Mystery, Contemporary, and more book lovers! Comfortable reading sections which are placed around the library so you may enjoy your visit in comfort! Not to forget all of the different informed speakers and lectures you can attend throughout the year in the community room! Before I move on there are also ESOL classes for those who would love to learn English and it’s Free! The Manlius Library truly has a little something for everyone!

There is a Handicap/Stroller ramp that leads to the hall, which has displays of Art along the walls. The art is always changes and some you can even purchase! It is one of the best halls I have seen inside of a library! This hall leads right to the children's section, Teen section and the Senior Center. Just wait until you meet some of those seniors! They are so friendly and just love to talk! Why not stop by and visit!?

I have been thinking it would be great if the younger generation could get together with the seniors and listen to them tell their stories. Tell us what they loved when they were growing up, vs what this generation loves now. We don’t want to lose those stories in the mix of all this entertaining technology that seems to occupy a lot of the youth’s minds today. I myself am going to try to get a volunteer to let me help them tell their story through one of my blogs.

Help spread the word, don’t let us lose the stories from the past, because we are too consumed with the future. I know we can read it in books, but why not write it ourselves with the help of someone who has already lived and experienced it? We can even make new friends along the way!

Thank you for reading about my Found Hospitality. I would love to know what Author and which book from that author you love the most! Sell me on it! I would love some good recommendations, which I normally wouldn’t read myself! Don’t just tell me the story, tell me what the story meant to you… I have listed mine below:

Favorite Author: Nicolas Sparks

Favorite Book by Nicolas Sparks: The Last Song

My Review: To me The Last Song is about a teenager that has lost her way in life. She has been let down to the point of acting like a whole different person than who she truly is. Once she is forced to stay with her dad for the summer her whole life starts to change. She is put into situations which she needs to find her true self in order to understand what is happening in her life. She needs to forgive, she needs to trust, she needs to let go of her past and focus on what is right in front of her. She finds happiness within the sadness that surrounds her. But in the end she starts to like herself again, and she has learned how to forgive. Along the way she just happened to find a couple other lost souls which also needed help finding their ways.

In short: This book is about a teenage girl that needs to find herself. In the course of finding herself she happens to help others and learns how to forgive along the way.

Now I could go on and on with what this library provides. But why not check it out yourself?! If you have any questions, don’t be shy, the library staff is the nicest, friendliest, and hospitable group of people I have come across since I moved to Manlius! You won’t be disappointed!