By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Hey writers! Join me in celebrating February as National Library Lover’s Month. 

Our libraries offer a variety of media to improve, educate, and entertain their patrons. The best news is (drumroll please) libraries are free! These sources of nonfiction information and fiction adventures create community and encourage social interaction with those whom they serve. 

We writers believe libraries are the best establishment since great coffee.

What better aroma than the breathing in an out of a bazillion words on every topic imaginable.

Types of Media

Our libraries began as a collection of books, a wealth of valued reading to share and enjoy for private individuals and later for the public. Today’s libraries continue the vision by offering books and e-books for all ages in various print and digital formats. We find films, music, newspapers, periodicals, maps, art, historical documents, and some have taken on a museum-like atmosphere. Writers can research the universe via the library.

Types of Libraries

Most of us are familiar with public and school libraries. Other types are focused on particular patrons: 1) academic libraries located at colleges and universities and 2) specialized libraries for unique business, military, medical, service, and science facilities.

How can we show appreciation for our libraries?

• The best way to show appreciation is a simple “Thank you. 
• Encourage people of all ages to explore their public and school libraries, not only for the media resources but also for the many ways the library builds a stronger community. 
• Volunteer.
• Financial support. 
• Donate books and bookmarks.
• Support library book clubs
• Create a Pinterest board that focuses on libraries. These can be humorous, serious, or instructional. Mine is here: To show appreciation, I have created a librarian Pinterest board 
• Offer to lead a group, instruct a class, or teach a skill.
• Join in a local Friends of the Library Program.
• Participate in library celebrations.
• Enlist your fellow writers to host a thank-you for your local library.
• Take a librarian to lunch.
• Recommend a library to homeschooling families.

Librarians have a special place in my heart. In the past, I was a church librarian, and I did cyber-cartwheels when an author friend experienced a new release. Recommending fiction and nonfiction books and media for all ages thrilled me. But I understand the huge task of raising awareness, adding patrons, encouraging members, and meeting the needs of patrons. 

I’d write more, but I have a date with a library!

Do you regularly visit your library? What is one of your favorite experiences?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com