Last Friday morning, Roux and I stood with our neighbors and community leaders at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, watching the first shovels of dirt turn for an exciting expansion project. It felt like more than just a groundbreaking—it was a promise for the future.

For me, this library isn’t just a building. It’s part of my story. I grew up here. My earliest memories include story hour with Mrs. Jamele, tucked into the corner with wide eyes and a stack of picture books. I remember weaving through the aisles, checking out more books than I could possibly carry, and later on when I was older, wandering in and out to visit my mom while she worked behind the desk. By the time I was in high school, it was a second home.

Now, it’s Roux’s turn. Every week we’re there for story time, curled up on the carpet, soaking in those same rhythms of language that shaped me all those years ago. At any given time, our house is overflowing with borrowed books—at least a dozen each—and that’s not even counting the games, movies, and digital resources that have become part of our daily routine.

Our current library haul…

The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library. – Albert Einstein

There’s this idea floating around that libraries are outdated, that if you’re not an avid reader, they have little to offer. That could not be further from the truth. Libraries are the backbone of a community. They are living, breathing spaces where everyone—regardless of income, class, or circumstance—can access the tools and knowledge that open doors. They remind us that literacy is power, that curiosity should never have a price tag, and that stories—whether in books, music, or conversation—are what bind us together.

Friday’s groundbreaking wasn’t just about bricks and mortar. It was about investing in a future where more people have a place to gather, to learn, to dream. And I can’t wait to see Roux grow up in a library that’s ready for the next chapter.

To check out all of the resources, services, and collections at the library, visit their website, and make sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook.