Localism Challenge, Day #4: Seminole County Public Library, West Branch, 245 N. Hunt Club Rd., Longwood, FL 32779, 407-665-1670

Localism Challenge, Day #4: Seminole County Public Library, West Branch, 245 N. Hunt Club Rd., Longwood, FL  32779, 407-665-1670

Seminole County Public Libraries are open:

Monday-Thursday:  9-8

Saturday:  10-5

Sunday:  1-5

Yes, I'm doing it- a post about a library.  There are many like it, but this one is mine...or at least the one that just happens to be the one closest to my home.  Folks that have viewed my posts for a while may have seen them listed under "Apopka", "Orlando", "Orange County", "Seminole County", "Mid-Florida", etc (and they're all true), but I live in Seminole County and can literally throw a baseball across into Orange County.  OK..it does need a bit of a roll- but I can get it there!

Why a post about a library...or "the library"..or "my library"- Seminole County Public Library, West Branch, 245 N. Hunt Club Rd., Longwood, FL  32779, 407-665-1670?  Because libraries are dying- that's the best reason. 

I'll go all tech-savvy Realtor guy with the rest of you.  Computers are cool and the Internet is great- and trying to keep up with our September Localism Challenge by way of carrier pigeon wouldn't be any fun.  But I also love me a good flea market and looking for books (no need for you to spread that little tidbit around, mind you).  I've never stumbled upon a classic 1902 floppy disk, and I've never said "Dang!  My kids are loving this Internet puppet show and interacting with the other kids!

Libraries are lifelines for the unemployed that have no computer at home, too- the ones actually seeking employment, that is.

Libraries have children's programs- yes, those puppet shows.  Libraries are the first place many go to get paper IRS forms, and often provide meeting rooms for Senior Citizens' groups that might not have room to meet elsewhere. 

Community is defined as a small group of people living together within a larger society.  All in all, libraries may very well be one of the last places in our communities where community still exists.  General Stores are gone.  The guy at the local barber shop that once offered $5 haircuts now wants to put some spray junk in your hair and charge you $14.  The local hardware store has been Wal-marted out of business.

So please support your local library- like mine at Seminole County Public Library, West Branch, 245 N. Hunt Club Rd., Longwood, FL  32779, 407-665-1670...

...'cause if they shut them down, where are we going to vote?