— If a child can learn to read and he will apply himself; he will become a lifetime learner.

Once an encyclopedia salesman stopped at a single mother’s modest home and asked the lady to buy a set. She said,  “I have very little money, but my son wants to be a doctor, if I buy these books, will he become a doctor?”  The salesman replied, “Madam I cannot guarantee if your son will be a doctor, but I can guarantee it will change his life.”

The mother bought the books on installment and each day when she came home, she found her son reading his books. He eventually read the whole set of encyclopedias. That boy became Dr. Jonas Salk, inventor of the polio vaccine.

This is just a reminder of how good reading habits can affect your life. Our children’s program in the Athens-Limestone Library teaches and encourages children to read and to love books. Right now we have such a large amount of children participating that we often have to move outside.

This is just one reason we need a new, larger library. Also we augment our public schools by providing books not available. Because of budget cuts most school libraries cannot add to their collection or buy new computers. At the present time we have at least three people waiting for the use of our computers.

The Pew Research Foundation has found that people are using libraries now more than ever because someone will read something online and get interested in a subject and go to their local library to read more.

The location of our new library is to be in the old Kroger building. This was generously bought for us by the city and county and all contributions will be managed by the Library Foundation board. We feel the location of this new library will be better suited for both county and city residents and will beautify the main entrance to Athens.

We are asking for your help by joining The Legacy Book Club. The membership fee is $100 and for that, we will buy a book and a name plate will be placed in the book in your name for your grandchildren or someone’s birthday or a memorial. The remaining money will be placed in the building fund. So, we can build our collection and a library at the same time. You may also choose the subject matter if you wish.

Let’s be the town that built a library and let this building be your legacy.

It is not the things that we accumulate in life that determines if we are a success. It is if we left this world a better place.

By joining this club we can change the lives of our citizens and make this world a better place.

Mail your Legacy Book Club donation to:  Athens- Limestone  Public Library, 400 E. South Street, Athens, AL 35611 or call 256-232-1233.