Your Library Stories

How has the Library impacted your life in a positive way? Share your story with the community.

Before coming to the US, I thought I had achieved everything in Korea, and I had no more goals because I already had everything I needed. Through our library, I met great people, learned a lot, and newly achieved a lot. I opened my eyes. Our library has been a great inspiration for the next half of my life. I’d like to remind you that our library and volunteer teachers are making a “WAY huge contribution” to lives of immigrants, our communities and the US society.- Sooyoung P.

---

When I saw that the library was hiring, I was very excited to apply. I started working as a page and learned so much more about the library and the people there than I could have as a patron. It was so much fun to learn the little ways we organize each section to make things easier for people to find. I love how each coworker cares about this library as much as me and how they make each shift amazing. After being a page for a little over a year, I interviewed for a clerk position and was hired. Now that I’m also a clerk, I’m able to get to know our patrons and I like being a part of the whole process from books going out, to being checked in, and going back out again. I’m very happy that I get to work in the place I’ve loved for most of my life. – Madi C.

---

We heard from many families after that their children were so inspired by the trip that they want to go back and get themselves their own library card! What a wonderful experience for our children! Thank you to all the amazing staff for making it such a memorable experience for us!– Jessica G.

---

Today, Ira and Natasha regularly attend the Beginner English class at the Library and also work with a tutor (pictured with them and one of their classmates) once weekly to improve their English language skills.

Thank you, Ira and Natasha, for sharing your Library story!

---

I‘d heard that there was a citizenship class in the library, but during the pandemic many activities were canceled. I wished they could restart the class. I went to the library to look for the information and I was very surprised.  There it was!

Thanks to all of the staff very much, especially the Coordinator and reminder, Alison.

Every Wednesday night, I was looking forward to meeting online with our volunteer teacher Judy and my classmates, although I was sometimes very tired after work. Judy’s pronunciation is close to my memories from when I learned English in middle school in my homeland of Taiwan.

She taught us American history as it relates to the 100 citizenship questions. That is really interesting and helpful for me to understand.  What did I love most about the class? Judy always encouraged everyone to ask questions and cared about our opinions and feelings.  She tried her best to explain as simply, fairly and equally as possible.

After ten lessons were over, some classmates continued meeting at this time on Zoom and shared their lives in America. That was very interesting. I learned something new from the classmates, too. I was very happy in the class. – Chiali L

---

I also like coming to the monthly genealogy meetings. [Genealogist] Lisa Dougherty is very helpful and there’s a nice interaction among the group. We share ideas, help one another searching through family history. [It] brings people from the community in and there’s usually a couple of people just starting the process, so it’s very helpful to them too.  In one meeting, a former neighbor of mine was looking for some help [finding] a particular surname. I recognized the name and had some notes in my notes on that family, which I sent to her later. She came back later and sat down next to me and said, “Hi, third cousin.” Her great-grandmother and my great-grandmother were sisters [who lived] in this area and then we end up being neighbors, not knowing [we were related]. I went out and bought a lottery ticket!  -Dan M.

---

---

From the moment I walked in I was enthralled. In the first few months I was engaged by trivia night, meet the local author, and a few weeks ago a great taco truck and Big Fez & the Surfmatics. These are only a few of the excellent services in this gateway to far more than just reading. The library is the best part of living in Clifton Park. The deal was sealed when, on exiting that first day, I saw the pyramid out front and noticed IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND LIVED A HOBBIT, the first line from one of my very favorite books. Keep going! In five decades of going to the library, (I started in 1966) Clifton Park library is the best one I’ve ever been to. – ROB M.

---

The Library also gave me and my family the opportunity to display and share our culture with the community by allowing us to bring Diwali and share it’s traditions and importance with everyone. The Library was generous and helpful. I’m so thankful for Melinda’s kindness she has shown over the past years to my family and welcomed our culture with the biggest smile.

The Library once again turned out to be pivotal to the community when COVID-19 hit because I was homeschooling my children. Coming up with new ideas to teach and keep the kids busy is difficult but with all the resources the library had to offer, craft to-go kits and numerous Art, STEM, coding classes-what initially seemed like a difficult task turned out to be a breeze. The Library has always been our silver lining and we couldn’t be happier to have a little heaven so close by! 

– The Jhaveri Family

---