My love affair with libraries began early. From the beginning of elementary school, my favorite activity wasn’t recess, nor was it art or music class. My favorite activity was that one hour we would get each day to visit the library. I loved walking through aisle after aisle, running my fingers along the worn spines of books displaying the names of authors — from Roald Dahl to R.L. Stine.

 If I couldn’t find the exact book I wanted, I didn’t hestiate to ask our librarian for help. I used to believe that she was born with a permanent smile on her face and the magical ability to read books aloud perfectly. With each recommendation she gave, her love for literature was contagious. Since then, every librarian I have encountered shows a similar passion for books and reading.  Although they are acknowledged infrequently, it is their hard work that turns libraries from mere buildings into fantastical, comforting places that become a second home and a quiet escape.

For all library and librarian lovers out there, the American Library Association, the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the New York Times are accepting submissions for their I Love My Librarian Award. From now until September 12, you can nominate a librarian in a school library, public library or college/community college/university library. Up to ten winners will be selected and receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque and $500 travel stipend to attend an awards reception in New York hosted by The New York Times. 

If you are interested in learning more about libraries, I encourage you to check out Marilyn Johnson. Dubbed the “library sciences heroine” by the Philadelphia Free Library, Johnson celebrates libraries and librarians as essential players in the information age in her book This Book Is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All (Harper). She has become a sought after keynote speaker at library associations and conferences, libraries, and universities.