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Christie Vilsack's avatar

Thanks for sharing Winterset quilting and library history. I'm glad my story prompted yours. I remember seeing the new Winterset library before it was repurposed. I couldn't believe the transformation. And I remember the children's room had heat-warmed tiles. As First Lady I visited over 500 Iowa libraries and yours is one of my favorites.

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Marianne Fons's avatar

I love that you know and appreciate Winterset's libraries. I'm looking forward to our lunch later this month!

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Stephanie Vanderslice's avatar

You had me at library. What’s not to love.

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Marianne Fons's avatar

Thank you, Stephanie.

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SharonJ's avatar

I think libraries could provide community-wide educational services not provided elsewhere. You mentioned your own writing experience. Learning to do so can become a future income source for those who need some inspiration and how-to guidance. How to use a smartphone would be helpful to many. And certainly how to maintain technology privacy. Movies for those without cable or streaming services. My list is long.

Community centers are open 8-4:30. Congregate meals are a good thing, but centers in my metro area are short on recurring services. Over 55 housing should be located next to libraries. Not "within walking" distance. Over 55 housing is a huge rant topic for another time. Or not.

I haven't read Christie's substack, but yours gives hope about what could be. It makes me want to move to Winterset! Thank you for that❣️

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Marianne Fons's avatar

Thank you, Sharon. Every time I visit my local library, adults of many different ages are there using the computers. Some are doing genealogy research. There's always a jigsaw puzzle under construction. The children's area is full of resources. I'm a life member.

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Pamela Weeks's avatar

Great post, my friend. I'll have to work on a short essay on my own town library and how important it was to me in elementary school.

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Marianne Fons's avatar

Libraries are sanctuaries of knowledge and information. Thank you for reading.

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Marianne Fons's avatar

A library is a sacred place to me.

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