I fell in love with libraries as a child and the love affair lives on. Thank you Ben Franklin who was instrumental in bringing about the public library as we know it today. But way before Ben, there was The Great Library of Alexandria, a public library open to those with proper scholarly and literary qualifications, found about 300BC. Among the personalities that graced that library were Aristotle, Demetrius of Phalerum, his disciple, and Ptolemy who wanted to understand the people under their rule and decided to house, Latin, Buddhist, Persian, Hebrew, and Egyptian works—translated into Greek. The library’s goal was to collect a half-million scrolls and the Ptolemies took serious steps to accomplish it. The history of how the modern library evolved is fascinating but my intent is to highlight librarians,individuals who hand a person the memorable book that start their journey to become a lifelong reader.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times Librarian Award is giving you the opportunity to vote for your special librarian. To nominate a librarian, visit http://www.ilovelibraries.org/ilovemylibrarian
Your nomination must re received by September 20.
Up to ten winners will be selected to receive a $5,000 cash award, and will be honored at a ceremony and reception at the New York Times in December.
Don’t delay—vote!
