Where I Stand: Libraries are banquets of knowledge, wonderment

Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

NEED A BREAK? Immerse yourself in a good book. That's Darrell Batson's advice and, as director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, he ought to know. In today's guest column, he tells of the virtues of the library.

WHILE WE CAN'T always travel to exciting places, we can immerse ourselves in wonderful books and magazines that allow us to mentally remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District should be your favorite retreat. There, you can ride the Serengeti Plains or surf off Diamond Head. You can examine the tactics of Genghis Khan or find solace in the teachings of St. Augustine. The wonders of photosynthesis can be learned, as well as the mystery of black holes. The global community of the Internet is available, as well as the private seclusion of you and your favorite poet. The world -- past, present and future -- is available for your personal use.

How often have we walked along a street and never noticed the magnificent flowers at our feet? Our public libraries are like those flowers, constantly there, but regularly overlooked. The beauty and fragrance are there for the taking, but it requires an effort on our part to stop, stoop down and partake of the wonders. When was the last time you stopped and partook of the wonders of your public libraries?

Your libraries have books, magazines, compact discs, cassettes, videos, computers, IRS tax forms, children's story hours, study rooms, art galleries, theaters, conference rooms, auditoriums, newspapers, typewriters, photocopiers, an amphitheater, talking books for the blind and physically handicapped, a literacy program, special collections, on-line data bases for research, reference departments, trained professionals to assist you in your information needs, and much more.

The libraries do not care if you are rich or poor, old or young, black or white, educated or a dropout, a citizen or an immigrant, Christian or Muslim, or any of the other categories we place upon ourselves. We are free and open to all people. That is the greatest of all wonders of any library. The only limitations you will encounter are the ones you place on yourself. Think of the opportunities and horizons that are available to you.

I encourage you all to visit your local library regularly. There are 12 urban branches and 11 rural locations to serve your needs. In the urban areas, we are open 68 hours per week. If we don't have it, we will find it. If it's not available locally, we will send away for it. If the community needs it, we will obtain it. We are here to serve you, but we can only do that if you come to see us.

Remember, the most magnificent meal in the world will do you no good if you don't take the first bite. Let us be that magnificent meal of knowledge, information, fantasy and wonderment that you partake of, and eat heartily the fruits of the trees of knowledge.