Have you ever had a moment in a library that changed your life? Maybe it was the book that sparked your imagination, the librarian who helped you find the right resource, or the space that gave you room to dream. At Spokane Public Library, we believe in the power of these transformative moments. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us for My Library, My Story—a community-wide celebration of the impact libraries have on our lives.
Right now, libraries across the country are facing challenges in providing access to books and essential services. But we know that libraries are so much more than just buildings filled with books—they are vibrant hubs of connection, learning, and belonging. This is your opportunity to remind the world why libraries matter.
Your experience could inspire someone else to discover the power of libraries. We invite you to share your personal library experience on social media. Tag us @spokanepubliclibrary to collaborate with us and amplify your voice!
Don’t have social media? Share your story in the comments below!
Hear how the library welcomed Leah on day one in Spokane and became a part of her journey.
67 responses to “Share Your Library Story”
When I was 8, my family moved to Post Falls from a South Dakota farm. When my Mom took us to the local library, we couldn’t believe that you could pick out a book and take it home for FREE!! We loved books and I became great friends with the librarian who saved the new Nancy Drew books so I could be the first to read them.. I’m addicted to books!!!
The Spokane Public Library has been an invaluable resource for me and the creative community in our city. Through their free recording space, I’ve been able to produce my podcast, Casual Disasters, which has elevated my voice and the voices of artists, musicians, business owners, actors, and therapists in Spokane. This opportunity has allowed us to build connections, share incredible stories, and celebrate the amazing people who make up our community.
Beyond podcasting, the library’s film production studio, along with the support of Ryan Tucker, played a huge role in helping me create my first movie—an experience that led to its submission at the Comedy Film Festival. Their commitment to fostering creativity and supporting local artists is truly inspiring.
I also have the privilege of working at The Hive through Spokane Virtual Learning (SVL), where I get to collaborate with students, community partners, and fellow artists in an environment that thrives on innovation and connection. The library isn’t just a place for books—it’s a hub for creativity, education, and community-building, and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of it.
I recently filmed a comedy sketch at the Liberty Park Library which placed 3rd in the Spokane Comedy Film Festival (Garland Theater in Feb ’25) thanks to the ability to reserve one of the library’s many common spaces! The bright orange conference room at Liberty Park was a vibrant background for a silly “knitting for self defense” sketch. All members involved in the project are Spokanites across creative feilds. The sketch follows us out into the Liberty Park Library parking lot, too. We were able to film with all actors on one day, then schedule to do reshoots thanks to the generous availability of the rooms – FREE. Thank you to the SPL for providing spaces for us to create local art!
(Watch the sketch on YouTube on the channel of local comedian @bladefrank)
I was in 6th grade living in Moses Lake on the Air Force base. I would ride my bike to the library daily and check out the maximum number of books (6). One day the librarian saw what a voracious reader I was and let me check out as many books as I wanted! This act of kindness has stayed with me many many years and validated my love of books.
When I was young, going to the public library was always a comfort for me. It was a getaway from daily life that was often quite stressful and confusing. The books were always in order, there was always quiet and peace available in the library. I used to sit on a memorial bench out front and enjoy feeling a part of the community and a heritage that spanned decades if not centuries. It made such an impression on me, that I told my adult children that when I pass away I want a memorial bench at a library or overlooking a scenic view for others to enjoy.
As a little girl in a small town in the 50s, I would ride my bike up the huge hill to get more books every week, but when my young son wanted to take the bus to the Spokane library, I gulped over letting him do so alone in the big city. He returned with a recipe for hot and sour soup that we had recently eaten at the Division Street Chinese restaurant. He was so proud and happy! Every time we made the soup, I remember that day. Thank you to the librarian who helped him. Libraries are good for a lot of things.
I owe my love of reading to my grade school librarian, the bookmobile and to my friend across the alley, Nancy Schultz. Nancy would share her Nancy Drew mysteries and our Hamblen School Librarian would read to us aloud every class and helped us explore our interests. I could check out every book about nurses, mysteries and famous Americans from the bookmobile. I so looked forward to my library time and especially bookmobile arrival days. The librarians helped me learn to research my term papers and in collage and graduate school I received so much help in my research endeavors. I’m thankful Spokane has always supported libraries and the varied services they now provide and the diversity of interests they represent. Long live our precious libraries and the people who operate them. ❤️📚
As a child, I remember going to my neighborhood library to check out sacks full of books. I also remember the kind, children’s librarian who took the time to show me around and ask what I liked to read so she could make recommendations. As an older adolescent and young adult, I loved stopping by the library after school for some peace and quiet while doing homework, and on Saturdays to check out a new book or some new music or movies. I never had a computer with internet at home before I left home for college, so the library would also come in handy for using the internet for research or connection with friends. Libraries are one of the best things ever for humans, and still so underutilized. Books offer such a great escape – especially in times like these. Go to the library!
As far back as I can remember the libraries have been a place of safety and wonder! As an adult I homeschooled 8 children and could have never been successful without our local libraries! Librarians are my real life heroes!!
I will never forget all the times I walked to the library to use their computers. I was trying to write fiction at the time, hoping to pull myself out of a personal dark place through creative writing, but I had no computer/internet access to share it with others. The library gave me that access and I wrote for several years that way. Since then I have gone on to be a published author and could have never done it without our wonderful library.