Happiness is browsing again at the Beaverton Library, even if we’re limited to half an hour.

When I (Lisa) ran into the library to drop off some books just after it had re-opened, it suddenly hit me: I hadn’t stepped inside our favorite library, or any library for that matter, for nearly a year.

As soon as I dropped the books in the drop slot, set eyes on the colorful bookshelves and listened to the whispers of parents and children, I was overwhelmed by tears. Yes, it had been nearly a year since we had browsed these shelves and plunked down on the carpet to read whatever looked interesting. It had been nearly a year since Michael and I had led our Roving Reader Leaders book club in a cozy corner of the children’s section. While we have met virtually with the reader leaders for the whole year, a virtual meeting isn’t the same. We can’t see the excitement in the kids’ faces when they describe what they are reading. We can’t pass the books from one set of hands to another, sharing what we love most about Warriors or Wings of Fire or Ready Player One.

And we definitely can’t record video reviews of the books we’re reading, reviews like this one:

Although we miss our in-person meetings –which aren’t happening right now — it was exciting to be back in the library!