"Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better." -Sidney SheldonAccording to a 2019 Gallup poll, visiting the library is the most common cultural activity Americans engage in.

Here are 43 true stories that show you why. Shared by library workers, volunteers, and patrons from around the United States, these funny, insightful, and moving tales are sure to be a welcome treat for library lovers and an education for anyone who has ever wondered what makes libraries such a uniquely treasured institution. The stories are book-ended by five essays further exploring the value of libraries in the digital age.

About HINCHAS Press- HINCHAS Press is a Los Angeles-based micropress that publishes zines, poetry, poetry in translation, and library science non-fiction. HINCHAS supports social justice initiatives, and advocates for bilingual literacy endeavors, especially along portions of the Américas that are monolingual. www.hinchaspress.com