Check it Out, The Library is Changing

I've loved books and libraries since I was a little girl. Here's one of my favorite books I remember checking out from the library at Millington South Elementary School. The Millington Public Library has a wealth of programs, events, activities and services available for free to the residents of our community, and lots of books, too.

A Love Letter to Libraries

I’ve loved books since I was a little girl, and I suppose by extension, libraries, too. As a student at both Millington South Elementary and Millington Middle School, I remember helping the librarians shelve books. My favorites were little, red, hardbound books known as the Childhood of Famous Americans series. I believe I read every one of them. My favorite was the biography of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross. So, I guess it was only natural that a few years later I would spend a summer during high school as an American Red Cross candy striper at the hospital on the Navy base in Millington.

My mom was an avid reader, so I like to think I inherited my love of books from her. When I lived in Washington, D.C., she would visit often, and of all the historic places to see and tour there, her favorite was the Library of Congress. It’s a beautiful Beaux-Arts style building with a classical exterior, and interior filled with frescoes, stained glass windows and of course…books, including a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, the first book printed using mass-produced moveable type in 1455.

The Millington Public Library

Our own Millington library built in 1957 may not be quite as fancy, but it’s a busy place, filled not just with books, but also with a wealth of programs, activities and services for residents in our community of all ages.

Librarian Stephanie Kinsler has been the library’s director for about a year and a half. Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, she has served as a librarian primarily in academic settings including at the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee medical library.

After being a librarian in academia, Kinsler says she was ready for a change. As a librarian in a community setting she believes she’s on the front lines of service. “I feel I’m helping people in a more meaningful way.” She adds, "I don’t think it’s any secret that this is a socioeconomically challenged community here. A lot of patience is involved helping patrons…computer users. But, you can make an impact on someone’s life in their time of need, helping them apply for jobs or helping them get information on matters that are important to them.” The library has 13 computers on-site for patrons to use.

Along with her master’s degree in library science, Kinsler also has a degree in English education and stresses the importance of “helping children learn that books and reading are fun things.” Among her own favorite books are Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Robert Penn Warren’s “All the Kings Men,” Laura Hillenbrand’s “Seabiscuit” and more recently David Pinks’ “A Whole New Mind.”

She notes that with societal changes it can sometimes be difficult to balance the needs of the library’s older patrons, women and men age 50 and older, and children. ”I’m trying to build a better rapport with teens,” who typically visit the library after school. “It can be a challenge to make both of these groups happy.” The library hosts a Teen Card Club on Monday afternoons from 2:30-4 p.m., as well as an After-School Game Day, a Teen Movie afternoon and a Teen Breakfast Cooking Class.

Kinsler has instituted a variety of other activities including gardening programs, embroidery classes and a ukulele jam session, in addition to book signings, family research, a family movie night, resume building, craft days, and of course the children’s story time.

She views the library as the center of the community, or meeting place where groups can gather to discuss ideas.

For children in particular, she points out the way students learn has changed. Children now learn in teams, and she sees the need for a space like the library for students to discuss projects through collaborative learning...learning how to work with each other, being carried over into the library environment.

“People have their heads in their phones or computers, taking in information and not talking to each other. It’s definitely addictive and not healthy,” especially for teens. She sees the library as a place with a new purpose and value to society in helping people hone their communications skills. She says employers are placing a high value on “soft skills,” the ability for people to talk and communicate well, and shake hands. “We are ok with quiet talking.”

“The library is changing,” Kinsler says.

Many people now read on electronic devices. She urges those readers to definitely come get a library card. Library cards are free for residents living in the 38053 zip code, and $35 annually for persons living outside the 38053 zip code.

With a library card and the new Libby app, those reading on electronic devices can have access to more than 100,000 books through the Tennessee READS Regional eBook & Audiobook Download System. There is a 14-day loan policy, with the digital book returned automatically.

“We’re upping our game with the quality of our programs,” Kinsler says, “in particular for people with children through our summer reading program.” She stresses, “You should do this for your kids, it’s fun for them, and it’s fun learning." She explains, children of all ages can suffer from the “summer slide" when their reading aptitude can drop while children are out of school. She encourages parents to participate with them, reading with their children. In addition to reading, “we have tons of free stuff, food and entertainment,” she notes.

For older folks Kinsler comments, we’re adding more mysteries, thrillers and suspense novels to our collection as well as more westerns, Christian fiction and romance.

“A library is now more important than ever,” Kinsler says. “It’s a myth that Google has negated the purpose of a library. Google exists because of advertising. Books cost money for a reason. It’s a creative work, as well as credible information that you need. The most completely reliable source is still a book. There’s no better resource in my opinion. There’s a lot of garbage out there and a lot of people don’t know the difference. Libraries offer a broad range of services and access to information.”

There are lots of readers here in Millington. The library averages 150-200 people coming through its doors daily, with 47,000 visits annually and more than 37,000 books circulated. And, Kinsler happily reports this year’s Summer Reading Program saw an increase of 550 more books read.

Kinsler says, “We’re here to help, filling a social need. It’s fun work. I feel like I’m in the perfect place at the perfect time. I feel lucky.”

The Millington Public Library located at 4858 Navy Road is open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on Sundays. A library card is free for those living within the 38053 zip code and $35 annually for those living outside the 38053 zip code. For more information about the library’s many programs, events and services visit them on the Web at www.millingtonpubliclibrary.org on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MillingtonPublicLibrary/ or call (901) 872-1585.