On Friday afternoon, Jennifer Hyson and her three sons joined me in the after school club headquarters (aka the upstairs community room). Jennifer, 41, grew up in Boothbay and her earliest memories of visiting the Library were marked by a feeling of independence.

“I must have been about 8 because I remember that I was at that age where I had my own library card and could take my own books out. I really enjoyed that, being able to have my own card and feel like a big kid,” she laughs. I ask about her favorite book from childhood and after a pause she says “The Purple Crayon.” Miles perks up “Oh, I love the crayon book!” and Eli echos “Yea! I love that book!” Jennifer looks up the book title because Miles reminds her “There are a lot of crayon books.” “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” she confirms.

Jennifer is speech therapist in the AOS 98 school system and enjoys gardening, crossword puzzles, cooking — particularly baking — and reading. She visits BHML to check out books for pleasure reading, “I like to have something that I'm reading for just enjoyment. I use [BHML’s collection], but I really like the interlibrary loan option — having all those books — if there's one I want and it's not available here and I know I can get it.” Hyson has dabbled in ebooks and audiobooks, but mostly sticks with a good old fashioned book as welcome break from screens.

Jennifer has always brought her family to the library. “I don't remember not bringing them to the library! I remember coming to the crafts. We would do — we still do — the storytime at the Farmers Market. We’ll attend the Farmers Market and get something, and then sit and listen to the story ... We did Chalk On the Hill when they used to do the Fisherman's Festival … and when you have special events, like I remember thinking I was nuts when we came to a reptile program, because I don't like snakes … and there were snakes! The kids loved it, but I was like ‘I don’t know why I’m going!” Jennifer laughs. “I did OK,” and her youngest son Eli confirms, “You didn’t pass out, you didn’t pass out.”

I asked the boys about their early memories of coming to the library. Cole, 13, says “I just remember coming a lot and always having to find a new series to read, because I burn through them so fast. I also remember finding that I needed to — if it was a shorter book — I’d have to bring four home because I'd finished them in a couple weeks before I could actually come back.” Cole reads a lot of sci-fi and fantasy, and adds “I've always liked books that have movies or shows because I watch the show and read the book, and then can be mad at the show or movie because they didn't have my favorite detail.”

Miles, 11, remembers old summer reading challenges. “I remember going out and hugging a tree for one of the challenges, it was kind of weird, but it was kind of fun. And I remember when I won a prize it was really exciting.” Miles loves the arts and crafts opportunities, and is a regular at the Drop-In Chess Club.

When I turn to Eli to ask about an early memory, he replies quickly, “I’m only eight!” We all laugh. Fair enough. So we move on to books. Eli shares that he loves the Elephant and Piggie series; and he particularly approves of the author’s use of onomatopoeia. As for where this crew likes to enjoy a good book: Eli likes to read in the car, Miles enjoys lounging and reading in front of the air conditioner when it's hot, and Cole shares he used to read a lot in the closet, to which Eli exclaims “In your closet?!” Cole now enjoys reading in bed and tries to put the book down before he falls asleep, because he has, in the past, woken up with a book on his head.

Of the library, Jennifer says “It’s an untapped resource for a lot of people that we’re lucky to have. I love the interlibrary loan, but then there’s so many things beyond that. Eli was loving LEGO club before it ended, which has nothing to do with reading; most people think of the library as just getting books. There’s something for the kids to do after school. Miles loves the chess club; none of us play chess in the house so it’s given him an opportunity to grow his skills and meet new people … There aren’t a lot of places where you can meet the needs of everyone. We all come, and we all find our books at different levels, and activities for our different interests. It’s just so much more than people think it is.” Jennifer adds “The other thing is, I’m sure not every library is like this, but, kudos to the staff, because I feel like it feels like a family, an extension of your family. When Miles was really into these history books, they looked into it and decided to get it because we were taking them out from inter library loan so much; so the receptiveness to listening to the kids' thoughts and needs, and what they're interested in, and greeting them when they come in; it makes them super comfortable.”

When I asked the Hysons if they would want to live in a community without a library, they boys all instantly looked shocked and appalled, “No.” “No!” Heads shaking, Miles laments dramatically, “Chess club! What would I do? I would have barely known how to play! Or become the chess player that I am now or be able to teach Uncle Trent ...”