Libraries, Community & Legacy: Why Our Stories Deserve Space

When I was growing up, the library was more than just a building with books. It was where I learned how to research, how to explore, and how to sit with questions until I found answers.

I remember one project in particular from my health and physical education class. We had to do a report on secondhand smoke. Instead of just guessing or pulling something together from memory, my dad took me to the library. He wanted me to really learn.

We walked straight to the reference section. He showed me how to find the right volume of the encyclopedia, how to look up “smoke” and “tobacco,” and how to cross-reference articles. That’s where I learned not only what secondhand smoke was, but also how to research for myself.

Sitting at those big wooden tables, flipping pages, and taking notes — that was my introduction to independence, discipline, and discovery. Those lessons stayed with me long after the grade I got in health class.

Now, I’m bringing my son Choyce into that same tradition. Instead of always going to Montclair, I realized I needed to start right here, in my own neighborhood — Orange Public Library. They’ve got a children’s section, a calendar full of community events, and it’s becoming part of our weekly rhythm.

Libraries are not just about books. They’re about legacy.

Libraries taught me how to find answers — and that’s a legacy I’m passing to my son.

Libraries as Legacy Spaces

Libraries carry our collective knowledge, stories, and resources. For me, the library wasn’t just about learning how to read — it was where I discovered how to research, how to ask deeper questions, and how to use tools like encyclopedias that most kids today will never even touch.

Those skills shaped the way I think and move through the world. Knowing how to find answers for myself became a core part of my independence, and that is a piece of my personal legacy I want to pass down to Choyce.

Community Beyond the Internet

Before social media and smartphones, libraries were the hub. They were where we found information, met for after-school programs, and connected with people in the community. And the truth is, they still are.

Libraries continue to offer workshops, children’s programming, and local events that too often go overlooked. When I share Orange Public Library’s event calendar, it’s not just a reminder about dates and times — it’s an invitation to rediscover the resources sitting right in our neighborhoods, waiting to be used.

Why We Need to Show Up for Libraries

The reality is that libraries don’t get utilized enough, especially in our neighborhoods. Supporting them doesn’t always mean donating money — it can be as simple as showing up, checking out books, attending events, and letting our kids explore those spaces.

When we bring our children, we’re not only giving them access to free resources; we’re also passing down a love for learning and a sense of belonging. That kind of exposure plants seeds that can grow into confidence, curiosity, and leadership.

Legacy isn’t just what we build at home — it’s how we show up in our community spaces.

Thank you for evolving with me, always. — Ka’Cheena