Hello, let me introduce myself first. My name is Mae’lesha S. Lee. I am a fifteen-year old sophomore at Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School. Let me begin by saying that the library means everything to me for so many reasons. The library stands alone in terms of information, dedication, and appreciation. The library provides the outlet that I need to do the one thing I enjoy so much. And the one thing that I enjoy is reading, and reading, and reading some more. I’m an avid reader and proud of that fact. Reading is good for me because it helps expand my mind and enhance my vocabulary. I enjoy reading because it’s a very pleasant experience. When I read for enjoyment I find myself escaping to new adventures, going different places, meeting new and exciting people and learning new and wonderful things. I read not only for pleasure, but to acquire knowledge. This is very important in today’s society because everything you do in life is based on what you know. Knowledge is power and I believe that in order to be successful you must be smart and mentally sharp. We live in a very competitive society and in order to stay on top, you must read continuously and regularly. You must be able to articulate you thoughts on paper as well as orally. As much as I enjoy reading, I also enjoy writing. My mother always said in order to get people to listen and pay attention you must be able to express yourself by either orally or in writing. She also added that practice makes perfect. Reading is important to me because without the ability to read and write I wouldn’t be able to tell you how I’m feeling at this moment. Reading is the key to attaining the knowledge needed to be the best that you can be. Reading informs, enlightens, explains, directs, and therefore keeps you mentally stimulated. If one couldn’t read then one would be lost and confused as to what to do, how to do it, when, where, and why to do it as well. To me reading is one the most important task one should do, want to do, and continue to do throughout one’s life. Reading means understanding and understanding means gaining knowledge. Because the truth of the matter is that once you know it, “no one can take that from you.” Reading is a gift that was given to me first by my mother who taught me to read and to appreciate its extraordinary power. I read to get an understanding of my past, to deal with my present, and to move forward into the future. Reading provides me all the material I need to stay abreast of current issues and concerns as well as allowing me to go back to research events that happened some time ago. Reading motivates me to want more of a good thing. Reading is a good thing, a positive and worthwhile thing. I can’t imagine not being able to read or not having access to reading material. Reading is the vehicle to knowledge and knowledge opens doors of opportunity. I can recall reading about my ancestral history during slavery and how this wonderful power of understanding was denied by the slave masters. It’s now very clear to me why reading was not allowed because had the slave been given the chance to learn to read, they would have not been so easily enslaved. Those days are long gone and the opportunity to read and learn is accessible to any and all. All that’s required is the effort to seek this golden opportunity out and make the most of it. There’s one place you can go, free of charge, to have total access to all sorts of reading material at your fingertips. That place is the Public Library of Cincinnati, which happens to be one of my favorite places to go and hang out. If you want to know, then the library is the place to go. Clearly, if reading wasn’t so important then there wouldn’t be so many books and different material like magazines, newspapers, and so on. The PLC is one of the main places where there are miles and miles of books stacked high and low, all types and kinds of reading material. The PLC is the place where you can access just about anything, find information on everything, and learn all that you can. I can remember when the library was having some financial trouble and people were asked to help show support by writing letters to our local and national state representatives and congress people to let them know how important the library was. Well, let me tell you it was a pleasure and honor to sent my letters to let the people who could make a different know just how much the library means to me. The library makes a different in my life because it helps shape and develops my mental capabilities that will be instrumental in determining my success in life. My point is that I was concerned enough about the welfare of the library that I was compelled to share my thoughts about the benefits of the library and why funding shouldn’t be cut. To let the powers that be know that we need the library, to help people get though these tough times. I can’t imagine not having a place like the PLC to go to when you are looking for job information, researching about one’s college education, finding affordable housing information, determining how to earn and invest one’s money. I can go on and on about why the library is important and means so much to me. It’s the institution of higher learning, the cornerstone of self-improvement and the information highway. The PLC is a place that doesn’t discriminate because it gives all people of all colors and nationality the opportunity to gather information, learn and study this information, and then go out in the world and prosper from this information. I love the library because it provides and stores tons of useful information. Information gives me mental stimulation and power. This power helps me to know, to understand and to comprehend. The library helps hone one of my favorite activities, which is READING of course. I enjoy reading and writing therefore I enjoy all the benefits that the library has to offer. My motto is read to know, read to grow, and read to control your destiny. I read because I plan to succeed in life. So I say READ, BABY READ for the place to be is none other than the PLC.
