Free libraries feed back to the community. My little story: I came back to the US, with no money after a year of rural traveling in India. The only place I could work out of with no pay (and without feeling guilty as in a coffee shop) was a library. At first I was posting my resume for jobs. In the same time I was sorting out my photos from India. While there, day after day, I got to chat with the librarians and the senior librarian suggested that I give a presentation and talk about my experience in India. I never gave a public talk before. I went for it. We scheduled a few months ahead and I worked on the presentation, the invitation, the publicity. The library had all the expensive facility and audio visual equipment which without it I could never share this experience with many others in a rich and comfortable setting. The event had about 40 community participants, lasted about 3 hours. It was a talk so there was a discussion and Q&A.

Eventually I did that and still do share my India experience in many other libraries. It started at the Durant library in Hollywood and continues for almost 2 years now across California and Arizona. It is always free to the public. I travel and many times receive donations and even better, being hosted by local participants who become friends. I feel this free sharing that goes both ways is letting me experience America and my life in a way I never felt before. It replenishes trust, involvement, compassion and strengthens the community. Public libraries make it possible.

My India: Where every village is home - Experience !