Libraries are the heart of the community and librarians may very well be the saints of the literary world. In my world they may even rank above the authors of books since librarians will turn me on to undiscovered authors and books in ways that authors simply cannot. Often it's the people who work at the library, be they the librarian, voluteer or story lady, that make the library such a special place.

It's no secret that I love libraries. If I were the type to say so I'd say that I big puffy heart them. For the past year I've lived without a good library system. When I was in Montreal I joined a library that was way better than I was expecting for English books but now that I'm in Ottawa I'm not only part of a library but a library system. I got my own library card a couple of weeks ago (had to wait for proof of residency first - bah!) and started my book request list yesterday and already there are two books in transit to me. If I could I'd give my library a big hug.

I've lost count of how many times students have told me they're having trouble finding sources for their papers--which means I've also lost count of how many times I've told them to go talk to a reference librarian. I can't sit down with every student in a 100-person class, explain the library's system of databases, tell them which databases best fit with their paper's topic, help them identify search terms, and then show the students how to find books, print the articles on the library's printers, or purchase copy cards for the photocopiers.

Whip out your cards, it's National Library Week. It's no secret that I love libraries. I mean, they give me books to read for free! Sure, I have to return them but free books!!! A few years ago, when I moved to Toronto, the library saved my sanity. I was living in what felt like the middle of no where with horrible roommates. There weren't many places that were in walkable distance but there was a library across the street. I quickly became a member and would pile up on books and hide in my bedroom. It was because of all those library books that I started book blogging which in turn introduced me to a whole world of book bloggers. And of course they have a few words to say about National Library Week.

Wyoming State Libraries have unveiled their new advertising campaign, the purpose of which, of course, is to drive more users into the library. Their stated purpose is to have people experience the "WOW!" factor through the library. I am not 100% certain what wow-factor is, but as we are facing down flu season, I'm hoping it's not contagious. Let's see what they say: That "WOW!" factor is what we want people to take away from this campaign. We want them to realize: "There is something for me at the library, and I can grow, explore and wonder." Well, I can get behind that. But what's caused some controversy is one of the images they are using in this campaign.