Like many children who grew up in the eighties, one of my favorite television programs—by far—was Reading Rainbow.
I remember feeling a sense of wonder and satisfaction as Levar Burton would introduce the featured children’s books, and, of course, I loved hearing his renowned catch phrase (“but you don’t have to take my word for it”). This dovetails with another pleasant childhood memory: going to the library.
The library was two long blocks from my childhood home. When I was younger, my mother would bring me. After all these years, I can almost still smell the books as I walked in. I remember, too, the feeling of accomplishment as I signed the back of my first library card and the anxiety when I failed to return my books on time—a habit I have yet to break.
While many years have passed since leaving my childhood home, my love for libraries remains, and I joyfully carry on the library tradition with my own children.
So long as there is civilization, libraries will be vital to the pursuit of magic, wisdom, wonder, knowledge, and advancement for all.
Thus, it is for this reason that I am pleased to announce the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library as the 2026 first quarter Building Neighborhoods Fund recipient.
If you have a special library in your heart, we invite you to join us in supporting your favorite library, wherever that may be!
Click here to support the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library!
With Peace, Love, and Gratitude,
Vanessa Glushefski
