While most residents visit the library to simply check out a book or use the Internet, Litric Bea Mingo has found much more at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. Through visiting the library, Mingo has found solace.

“After my husband passed away in November, I went to grief counseling and the doctor wanted to know what I did to cope,” Mingo, a Selma resident, said while sitting among the many bookshelves at the library. “I told him I go to the library.”

After revealing her source of solitude, Mingo said she was surprised by the doctor’s response.

“He looked at me and said, ‘you know, that’s also my favorite place,’” Mingo said with a smile. “I thought that was very powerful.”

Other than a place of rest, Mingo said she uses the library’s resources to assist her in her volunteer role as a community advisor. Sifting though books and catalogues while also researching information on the Internet is something Mingo said she does often at the library.

“Whenever I need to research about a particular topic then I can come to the library and do that,” she said.

Growing up, Mingo admitted she wasn’t exposed to the Internet like children are today. However, with the help of library staff, she has been able to learn how to navigate the Internet.

One of her favorite topics to research, she said, are foreign counties “because it lets me see people and places I would never be able to otherwise.”

“Sometimes I flip through the magazines or just look through the books — it let’s me see what’s going on around the world,” Mingo said. “I get to see what’s going on in different countries like Europe and Indonesia.”

As a strong advocate of Selma and Dallas County, Mingo said the community wouldn’t be the same without the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. The library, she said, has something for everyone.

“I would call this library a pillar of information for this community,” she said. “I adore this library — it has been a healing place for me to come to. ”

And because this week is National Library Week, Mingo encouraged all residents to make a trip to the Selma-Dallas County Public Library and discover something new.

“We should recognize our library and let everyone know how great it is,” she said.