The library in Chowchilla, California, my hometown, was all about books way back then. Books, books, and more books. A quiet zone where the locals browsed the shelves in silence, acknowledged acquaintances with a nod or whispered greeting, and read in silence. The librarian gently cautioned children who dared speak aloud, even in a quiet tone, that silence was a library mandate. Even the thick walls of the old adobe building seemed to encourage the whispers.
Libraries have evolved from places to borrow books to versatile community resource providers. Perhaps none more than the Copper Queen Library in Bisbee, Arizona, named the best small library by the Library Journal in 2019.
The Copper Queen Library was established in the late 1800s to offer the miners in Mule Gulch a tranquil place to visit. Now, the library offers programs for early learners from ages zero to three-year-olds, pickleball equipment, Wi-Fi Hotspot devices, and a seed library for gardeners. I understand how the checkout system works for returnable items, but seeds? Seeds are for planting. How does the patron return borrowed seeds?
The library website explains that borrowed seeds are to encourage gardening. The seeds are donated, checked out with a library card, but there’s no due date. The seeds are heirloom heritage—no GMO—so they continue to germinate new seeds that can be returned to the library any time in the future. For borrowers without a green thumb, experienced gardeners donate to offset the losses.
My childhood librarian might be impressed by the Copper Queen’s seed library, but no doubt she would expect the patrons to whisper their questions about the return policy.
Violet's Vibes 
My husband and I have recently realized what a treasure trove of classes and extra benefits are offered by our local Dublin library. We have attended classes on finances, smart phones, and I even went to one on rock painting. All free. All with excellent instructors. I like how libraries have evolved into more than just places to take out books.