Did You Know This About Macomb?
To the Editor: One of Macomb’s special values is frequently overlooked. Would you believe Macomb has an extensive and highly active literary community? Did you know McDonough County has at least 20 book clubs as tabulated by book club Garu Connie LaRue? Three of these clubs are well over 100 years old: XX.M.D (Twenty Monday Dames) 1893, Anna L. Parker Club 1899, and The Fortnightly Club1899.
The Macomb Public Library’s Children’s Library starts love of reading early. This year alone, the library is offering approximately 150 children and youth programs from basic story times to craft programs to activity days. Our community’s love of reading continues and has been exhibited by local readers submitting 1,064 book reviews published weekly in The Community Brief since November 2007. These reviews have been collected by Kate Joswick as an activity sponsored by the Friends of the Macomb Public Library. Also, many people continue to attended book-based mini classes offered through LIFE (Learning is Forever) with topics ranging from philosophy to history to literature.
We have a highly active Friends of the Library organization that increases reading opportunities and supports the special needs of the library. Thanks to community donations of good-conditioned books, thousands of books are recycled back into the community and purchased at very low prices at books and media sales each year. Proceeds from these sales are reinvested in the public library. In addition, throughout the years, thousands of books have been given away at the train station and The Friends of the Library’s Little Free Library by the Library Annex. Various nursing homes and nonprofits have added to their library thanks to books donated by the Friends of the Library. Most recently, children have benefited from the Friend’s “adopt a classroom” reading program.
We indeed are a highly active literary community as we continue the quest to open minds and hearts through reading. This is just another reason why Macomb is such a great place to live, work and raise children.
Becky Parker, Friends of the Macomb Public Library Board Member
