I am sharing this article because I think it's important. It also speaks well of my library...
Thanks to WAFB, Channel 9. Baton Rouge, LA.
Woman says library gave her second chance at life
Posted: Jan 27, 2011 5:29 PM CST Updated: Jan 27, 2011 9:19 PM CST
Click image to enlargeBy Tyana Williams - bio | email
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The main library on Goodwood Boulevard will have a brand new building in two years. But until then, one woman is speaking out to make sure those plans aren't getting taken off the table. Sharon Bell says with all the crime in her neighborhood, the library became her second home.
The Goodwood branch is by far the busiest library location. Librarians say the main branch sees around 1,500 people a day.
Sharon Bell is what you might call one of their regulars. "I can literally walk you through this library and tell you where every book is," she said.
Bell says the books were a blessing. She says her neighborhood has its share of criminal activity, so when things got crazy she gathered her son and went to the library. In fact, she says she began visiting the library six days a week and staying for about eight hours a day.
Bell came to Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home. She says initially she was trying to fill out FEMA paperwork, but realized she needed to do more to better herself.
"My first day of college was here at the library. I enrolled in college here, I attend college here," Bell said. She says librarians began to take notice she was spending all day in the building. But as soon as she told them her story, they began pointing her in the right direction for research help.
Now that the branch expanding, Bell says she's hoping to encourage others. She wants to help someone else find a way out of a situation similar to hers.
"I am a single mother. My husband got murdered in New Orleans. So coming here changed my life. There was a lot of help here for us, if you wanted it," Bell said. "It's all been through a book, a simple book."
Construction on the new library should break ground in the spring. As for Sharon Bell, she says she's set to graduate from college in May.
Copyright 2011 WAFB. All rights reserved.
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The main library on Goodwood Boulevard will have a brand new building in two years. But until then, one woman is speaking out to make sure those plans aren't getting taken off the table. Sharon Bell says with all the crime in her neighborhood, the library became her second home.
The Goodwood branch is by far the busiest library location. Librarians say the main branch sees around 1,500 people a day.
Sharon Bell is what you might call one of their regulars. "I can literally walk you through this library and tell you where every book is," she said.
Bell says the books were a blessing. She says her neighborhood has its share of criminal activity, so when things got crazy she gathered her son and went to the library. In fact, she says she began visiting the library six days a week and staying for about eight hours a day.
Bell came to Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home. She says initially she was trying to fill out FEMA paperwork, but realized she needed to do more to better herself.
"My first day of college was here at the library. I enrolled in college here, I attend college here," Bell said. She says librarians began to take notice she was spending all day in the building. But as soon as she told them her story, they began pointing her in the right direction for research help.
Now that the branch expanding, Bell says she's hoping to encourage others. She wants to help someone else find a way out of a situation similar to hers.
"I am a single mother. My husband got murdered in New Orleans. So coming here changed my life. There was a lot of help here for us, if you wanted it," Bell said. "It's all been through a book, a simple book."
Construction on the new library should break ground in the spring. As for Sharon Bell, she says she's set to graduate from college in May.
Copyright 2011 WAFB. All rights reserved.
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