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Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of reading. It doesn’t always have to be books, but they’re certainly one of the easiest ways to get your hands on something to read.

Earlier this week, NPR released poll results they conducted about American reading habits. The results showed that 82 percent of the people polled think “reading is a useful way to learn about the world,” 76 percent say “reading is relaxing,” and 98 percent of people with kids agree that they want their children to “develop a love of reading.”

But the data also showed that people don’t read as often as they want to. There’s just not enough hours in the day. Actually, according to the poll, people over the age of 65 are the ones who tend to have enough time to read daily. But that makes sense, because older people usually are retired and have more flexibility in their daily routine.

For the rest of us, however, we have to carve out some time to read instead. Maybe we can’t do it daily, but maybe we can find a few minutes here and there to read a chapter or two in a book that’s grabbed our interest.

And where do you find a book to grab your interest? The easiest place is at your local library!

National Library Week was April 6 through April 12, so I’m a little late in recognizing the occasion. But you can always celebrate your local libraries all year long. Not just one week a year.

We’re lucky enough to be served by several libraries in the Roanoke-Chowan area, all within pretty easy driving distance. Those libraries are all part of the Albemarle Regional Library (ARL), which serves Northampton, Hertford, Bertie, and Gates counties.

ARL got its start back in 1948 when the public libraries in Bertie, Gates, and Hertford counties decided to join together. They expanded to include Northampton County in 1968, and they’ve been going strong ever since.

The seven branches of ARL include Bertie County Public Library (Windsor), Sallie Harrell Jenkins Memorial Library (Aulander), Gates County Public Library (Gatesville), Hertford County Public Library (Winton), Ahoskie Public Library, Elizabeth Sewell Parker Memorial Library (Murfreesboro), and Northampton Memorial Library (Jackson).

When I interviewed ARL Director Hugh Davis back in 2022 for a magazine story on ARL, he told me the library system has over 165,000 books in total (in addition to thousands of DVDs and audiobooks on CD too). I’m sure those numbers have only continued to grow since then.

ARL patrons can also get access to their digital offerings too, including over 206,000 e-books.

No matter what method you choose to read, you will certainly have access to an abundance of choices when you visit any of our local libraries.

But books aren’t the only thing offered at the library. You can find plenty of different history sources and collections at different ARL branches. If you need internet access, each branch has computers you can use.

TV shows and movies have often portrayed libraries as a place of absolute silence, where you must tiptoe around to make sure you don’t make any noise. But while you should definitely be respectful of other patrons while you’re visiting, the library doesn’t have to be a dreary place where you have to hold your breath to visit.

In reality, our local libraries host a variety of different events each month for people of all ages. There are storytime events, movie events, guest speakers, book signings, children’s activities and games, educational classes, holiday celebrations, and so much more. Even Santa Claus has been known to visit sometimes as Christmas time approaches!

Northampton Memorial Library is hosting the George Moses Horton Book Festival on April 19 (though the event itself will be at the Cultural and Wellness Center, not too far away). That’s just one of many examples of local events sponsored by one of our libraries. You can check with the other branches to see what fun things they will be hosting soon too.

And every summer, each ARL branch conducts the Summer Reading Program. That program is open for all children (though I think adults can participate as well), and it encourages them to read more. Throughout the summer, each library will offer interesting and educational events as a part of the program too. And there’s a theme each year, which makes it more fun.

So if you want to start reading more, a library is a great place to start! Check out any of our local libraries any time. In addition to the ARL branches, there’s also the Garysburg Volunteer Public Library in the Garysburg Town Center, and all of our local college campuses include libraries as well.

Libraries can help people of all ages experience a world of different things without having to travel too far from home. Please consider supporting our local ones in any way you can.

Holly Taylor is a Staff Writer for Roanoke-Chowan Publications. Contact her at holly.taylor@r-cnews.com or 252-332-7206.