Having Fun Isn’t Hard When You Have a Library Card

I’m a naturally passionate person so it shouldn’t have surprised me when I started crying in the Frisco Public Library.

My twin two year olds girls were dancing to a puppet in a toddler class in the library after engaging with a book about bees and there was nothing in the world that could have made me happier. 

As they danced in place and “bzzzed”, I had a rush of memories cascade through me of my first library experience in my hometown. My first library card. My library book bag. Graduating to the young adult section. The smell of card stacks. Getting in trouble for playing with the microfiche.

Looking back, it was a small library with meager means but it sparked something intangible that inspires me every day and that I search for everywhere I go. 

Eventually, I went to the University of Texas where I was one of 50,000 and I was lost until I found a home in the architecture library. I began to explore each of the campus’ dozen or so libraries and regularly slept between my studies on the couch of the 4th floor of the PCL (Perry-Castañeda Library).

I felt at home surrounded by books.

When in doubt, go to the library.

As my girls begin to get their first glimpses of the world of the library, my heart swells with pride as I understand the solace that an educational space will bring them in their future.

And my have libraries have changed – it’s not stacks of dusty books, a quiet space, and critical librarians. Instead, in Frisco, it’s a world of opportunity for learners of all ages who want to explore 3D printing or even self-publishing. We can rent technology, including 3D scanners or Go Pros, or even use the milling machine or the laser cutter.

There are classes for pre-readers, our senior community, and everyone in between that vary from week to week and are always relevant to what the community is interested in learning. The world-class events include STEM nights, genealogy expos, and cultural events that happen regularly. 

On each floor, the staff is there, ready to provide you your next favorite book, point you to a new hobby, suggest a book club, a quiet space, or even a place where kids can screech with joy.

A Library is a place where we all belong.

A few weeks ago, the girls begged me to take home the Dash and Dot robots they had spotted rolling across the Library. It wasn’t long until I found myself taking in a quick lesson on beginner coding so I could help my three year olds learn to work their robots.

It took maybe three minutes before they had discovered that the robots could dance! The girls were dancing around the house having the time of their lives. It was another two minutes before they were taking turns teaching the robots how to maneuver our wood floors.

Many of my daughters’ books are digital, they already know what a book trailer is, and they consider going to the Frisco Public Library to be a reward. It won’t be long before we begin serious coding and borrowing more complicated robots. 

I can’t wait until we pick up the Harry Potter Coding Wand and learn together. Seriously, our Library rents these out — and I have no qualms with using my kids as decoys pretending they’re the ones who want to learn how to code a wand.

And I look forward to the summers where we join the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge and log our minutes as a family.

My daughters’ library journey will be different than mine and I cannot wait to see where it will take them.

Paving the Way for Future Generations in Frisco

We’re lucky enough to live in a city that understands the pulse of the community can be felt in the library. If it’s been a couple of years, it’s time to go back and check it out.

The FPL is constantly improving upon itself and we’re on the verge of yet another wave of change. The next iteration of the Frisco Public Library may open as soon as 2022 off of Cotton Gin in the Beal building. You can bet we’ll be there on opening day making ourselves at home.

I’ll be the one with the Kleenex probably crying happy tears.