“As a child in Columbus, GA, a trip to our library was to enter a sanctuary concealing a treasure chest. It was midnight quiet inside. The lady behind the big curved desk was always friendly. The treasure chest spilled endlessly with books of all kinds – and the spree was free! More than 70 years later, my Charlotte Mecklenburg Library remains special but expanded beyond books. Librarians assist in filling out job forms, answer tax questions, teach computer literacy and so much more. A sanctuary. A treasure chest. Changed but unchanged. Everybody’s welcome. I still get a thrill.”