watercress words by Dr Aletha

The first public library I ever visited was a bookmobile. Every week the bookmobile parked next to my elementary school. I remember climbing the steps into the bus and walking down the book-lined aisle. These books took me to faraway places, introduced me to famous people, and prompted dreams of what I could do with my life.

I read about people who tried new things, made discoveries, traveled around the world, and invented products that changed our lives.

I discovered the mysteries of the human body and read about the people who studied to understand it, uncover the causes of diseases, and work to cure them.

I learned about people who used their talents, time, and knowledge to make the world a better place. From the library, my dream of working in healthcare was born and nurtured.

Before I graduated from elementary school, a permanent library was built at the site where the bookmobile had been parked. I continued to make the library my second home and loved the new building.

But there is still a place in my heart for the library on wheels, which brought the world to a little girl who otherwise might never have known it existed.