I admit it. I am a borderline bibliomaniac. I not only love to read, but I love to be around books and around people who love books. I love the culture surrounding books, and bookshops, and libraries. When I go into someone’s house I scan the shelves to see what books they have. When I walk downtown to get something for lunch I walk with one eye on the cracks on the sidewalk and one eye on the book I am reading. I am sure people drive by and see me with my nose in a book and think, “There goes that crackpot library guy.” But that’s OK because I know that my life is much, much richer because of reading. I can honestly say that I have never been bored a day in my life. If I have some free time with nothing to do I am usually reading, going to a library, or to a bookshop. To be honest, I don’t understand people that don’t read. When I think of the time people spend watching television or playing video games I can’t help but think that each and every one us has a limited amount of time on this earth and the last thing I would be doing when the clock is ticking is spending that time staring at the one-eyed monster in the living room. Books inspire me. The Bible, for example, challenges me to live a life of value, loving and serving others. Books can help you get out of a rut in your life. They can help create opportunity and sometimes they serve as pure entertainment. Is there anything better than a good page-turner on a rainy night, coffee or tea on hand? I can’t think of much. As the saying goes…never trust anyone who’s TV is bigger than their bookshelf.” Read on, my friends!
-Jim Gill, Director