WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Local families use the James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., every day to meet their learning and leisure needs.

And that is especially true for the Waugh family. Talitha “Tally” Waugh says the Library is her favorite happy place. In fact, she and her children often visit the Library daily. As a homeschooling parent, Tally and her three children – Thomas, 18, John, 12, and Izabella, 11 – rely on the Library as a place for learning and spending time with friends.

Tally and her children have attended several programs over the years but especially enjoyed the Summer Learning Kick-Off and Finale. They also like doing scavenger hunts in the children’s wing. Aside from serving the family’s educational and social needs, the Library also saves them money.

“I have saved almost $4,000 by using the resources at our library this past year. That is astounding!” Tally said. “I love your ‘try it before you buy it’ feature. We ended up with Christmas and birthday presents for the kids because they tried video games, board games, or read books at the JVB Library first and fell in love with them.”

Tally said the James V. Brown Library is a place that makes every person feel at home. “There are ‘staff picks’ that help families determine what to borrow, but the Library staff goes above and beyond that,” Tally said. “Each one has unique qualities that make the Library enjoyable. They see us coming in the door and smile at us; they are genuinely happy to see us.”

Libraries are at the heart of any thriving community, and ours is no exception. It’s where children take their first steps towards literacy, where students find the resources they need to excel in school, where job seekers access vital information, and where lifelong learners explore new worlds through books, technology, and programs.

As a homeschool family, the Library is an important tool for the Waughs to create curriculum and learn about careers. The impact of your Library extends far beyond its walls, touching the lives of residents of all ages and backgrounds.

Our friends and neighbors come to the Library because it is the place to go, to learn, connect and grow. And you make that possible when you invest in your community Library.

You can be a long-term partner in lifelong learning for the Waugh family and people of all ages in our community. The Library relies on community support to help provide access to knowledge, books, computers and educational programs to all members of society.

The Library is beginning its annual campaign, during which it asks the community to help us continue to grow and support education. Please consider donating in person or online at https://jvbrown.edu/annual-fund-donation/.