In fourth grade, I got to choose a book from the school library for free reading time. I pulled up my sleeves in anticipation, fingering each book on the shelf that had an interesting title, a popular author, or a colorful cover. My teacher, a stern-looking woman with short, sandy blonde hair, must have thought I was struggling to find an appropriate book, so she picked one out for me. Instead of a Judy Blume or Laura Ingalls Wilder book that my classmates were reading, she brought over a picture book about American history. My English wasn’t that good yet since I had immigrated to the U.S. just two years before, but a picture book was written for a much younger reader. My face flushed red, realizing that the teacher did not believe I could read, even though my English was improving daily.
“Your English will get better if you read this!” she barked, handing me the picture book.
I fidgeted not knowing what to do, upset with her low estimation of my reading ability, but knowing I was supposed to respect my teacher. All I could say at that moment was “Thank you,” and bowed reflexively. The teacher nodded with a smug smile, as if she had just done me a huge favor. I took the book home and never opened it.
By choosing not to read the book my teacher thought I should read, I felt powerful. It taught me that I had a choice in what to read, and not everyone had that choice. Since then, libraries have transformed my life. They have empowered me by providing free access to books, information, and knowledge. I felt safe and included every time I walked into a library. It filled my soul.
I am grateful that libraries have become a big part of my life again. As part of November’s National Novel Writing Month, I have spent almost every day at the library revising my novel. I see “regulars” who read the newspaper in the same spot day after day, children giggling during Story Time, and students gathering in study rooms. Patrons are busy using the free computers, browsing the community art exhibit, or attending an opera talk. As a trustee for my library district, I am proud to safeguard the library as a community hub and a place of lifelong learning by helping steward the finances and make decisions that ensure the library serves the people.
I realize that I’ve been searching all my life for a place like this, and it’s always been here. It’s like coming home this Thanksgiving, and I’m so happy to belong here.
At a reception for local elected officials at Point Vicente Interpretive Center with fellow library trustees, November 8, 2019
Do you remember a moment that books or libraries changed your life? Where is your happy place? Leave a comment below.
Here are a few fun photos at various library and literary events. I will be riding in the Annual Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights on December 7, 2019 from 6-7:30 pm representing the library district. I will also be attending the PVLD Writing Month Anthology Reading on Saturday, January 18th from 3-5 pm at the Peninsula Center Library. And join me as the community marches in a Suffragette reenactment parade for the Women’s Suffrage Centennial in March 2020. Here is a link to the PVLD website so you can read about all these wonderful events and so much more.
Thank you to each and every one of you for following me on my journey this year. There will be more to come in 2020. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays to all!
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- Taking my oath after being appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Palos Verdes Library District through an interview process, August 17, 2019
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- Honored to be one of five author panelists speaking about writing for PV Women’s Breakfast Club at Red Onion, October 5, 2019
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- Getting my copy of The Island of Sea Women signed by author Lisa See at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, October 28, 2019, the same day she was evacuated from her home during the Getty Fire. She was an amazing speaker and the book was enjoyable and educational. It is about the female sea divers in Korea during the Japanese colonial period so I learned a lot for my own book!
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- Merging PV Library and the Los Angeles Public Library at the Literary Feasts Author Thank You Dinner at the California Club with PVLD Director, Jennifer Addington, November 3, 2019
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- 45 dinners in 45 homes across Los Angeles in one evening to benefit the Los Angeles public libraries. With author Mark Obmascik talking about his new book, The Storm on Our Shores, at an art-filled home in Beverly Hills. Fascinating read about a little-known war called the Battle of Attu in Alaska during WWII and the diary of a fallen Japanese-American soldier. November 4, 2019
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- My fellow PVLD Writing Month participants and friends! I have been at the library almost every day writing this month and have made good progress! November 9, 2019
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- So inspired at the Veteran’s Voices Premiere at PVLD – Veterans in the community sharing their stories through short films. November 16, 2019
The community is so fortunate to have you on the library board, Rosa!
My favorite memories of the Palos Verdes Library District are going there as a child with my mom and my sister. We would check out stacks of books and bring them home to read. They opened doors to new worlds and new ways of thinking. Sheer heaven!
Thank you Caroline! I didn’t know you grew up here and used the PV libraries! What an amazing gift libraries are to our communities. I think that’s where we get our love of writing from!
Hope to see you back here again soon!
Like Rosa, libraries were also my happy place. Growing up in a small house with seven people living under one roof, books were my escape and libraries were my quiet space. My father worked full time and took on many other jobs to provide for our family. Every Saturday morning, though, he carved time out of his football coaching, math instructor grading, wrestling refereeing and parks and rec sports coordinating to take me to the library. I got to spend what seemed like hours browsing through the immense children’s section of my local library while my father browsed his non-fiction and biography sections. It was my special time with my father that I will always cherish. I only hope that my love of libraries and books have transferred to my own children.
I remember your dad. He was amazing. My parents sometimes just dropped me off at the library so they could go to their jobs and do what they needed to do. It was free babysitting in a way. I was so grateful for Henderson Library on Emerald Street. Do you remember it? I remember it so vividly. I got to spend hours doing nothing but read, perfect my English, and learn about the world. I hope our children’s generation will cherish it as much as we did!