It was my grandmother who once told me that I was never alone as long as I had a good book.

From there, my love for reading started at a young age, and I was reading chapter books weekly.

My teachers would tell my mom they had never had to tell someone in class to put down their book and finish the classwork, and apparently, that was rare.

It’s true though, I read everything I could and I still do.

After I extinguished the collection at my house and then the mysteries at my grandmother’s house, it was time to head to the library.

Libraries have always been a special place to me no matter where I have lived.

After school in Fayette, I would spend time at the library while my mom worked at a store a few blocks downtown from where I would lose hours while reading until it was time to go home.

In Florence, I would spend time studying at Collier Library on UNA’s campus.

In Scottsboro, I was able to cover stories about the different things the Scottsboro Public Library had going on.

Here in Selma, the Selma-Dallas County Public Library also has numerous things going on especially with April 7-13 being National Library Week.

It amazes me how much libraries have developed with technology over the years. What once was a place just for books and microfilm has now evolved into a place for not only that but a place for public speakers, robotics, aquariums, genealogy and science projects.

At Selma’s library, the week of April 7-13 will have numerous opportunities to tell patrons thank you for being a loyal customer to the library.

Director Becky Nichols is enthusiastic about her job and enjoys seeing all of the people that come through the library doors.

“From the minute the library door opens in the morning to the clicking of the lock at six o’clock, we welcome hundreds of people,” she said. “The gracious spirit of the people who visit us and the ongoing friendships developed as a result of those visits have given strength to our daily purpose of service.”

Along with thanking the patrons, the library will roll out the red carpet for a “Welcome to your library” event for what Nichols said will host over 400 Kindergarten students.

The Kindergarten Library Campaign will start a lot of young students on their journey of reading a good story.

In the world where we are so connected through our phones, tablets and televisions, sometimes it is good to have a good old-fashioned book in hand and get lost in the pages of a good story.