Toys in the attic...

Fun things to do at the, Burkhardt Library.

Libraries are one of the most important resources in the homeless community. Unlike many restaurants and places of public commerce one can sit at the public library for hours upon end without having to spend money or risk being forced to leave the premises by management staff or security officers. Within the confines of the local library one can surf the internet looking for work, communicate with friends on social networking websites such as, Facebook, or simply check email accounts or play games. Books, newspapers and magazines provide a much needed respite from the tedium of hours spent out on the streets with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Libraries provide a sanctuary against the weather and a place of safety where homeless women with children can go and watch their children play in a wholesome and secure environment.

In, Dayton, Ohio, the downtown branch of the library, located at 215 East Third Street, is a major gathering for the city's homeless community. Computers fill up quickly, comfortable chairs are quickly gobbled up and it can sometimes prove problematic if the daily newspapers will still contain the employment section before you get the chance to read the paper. In my experience it has proven a wise decision to look for quieter and less crowded libraries in the suburbs surrounding the city of, Dayton, where the crowds are thinner and the competition for available resources is less fierce. One of the little gems I've found in my own personal search for a bit of suburban relief from the hustle and bustle of the downtown library is, the Burkhardt Library, located at, 4680 Burkhardt Rd.

One of my favorite features of the library.

The Burkhardt Library, is one of those quiet little neighborhood libraries that offer a variety of services to people of all ages. One of my favorite things about this library is that they have a wireless computer network that offers people with laptop computers the option of using their personal machines instead of having to go through the process of signing up and waiting for library computers to become available. Speaking as a person owning a laptop computer it's nice to able to walk in to this warm and cozy environment, set up my laptop and instantly begin surfing the net and work on my blog without having to wait for a library machine to become available.

Another one of my favorite features at the, Burkhardt Library, is the bird cage containing a pair of Cockatiel birds. sometimes they fill the library with the soft sounds of birdsong and it's just impossible not to feel better about an afternoon and yourself as you sit in an environment filled with books, plants and birds. I love this quaint facility and even after I'm not homeless I plan on remaining a regular visitor and spending time in a place that has earned a special place in my heart.

Last, but certainly not least, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the quality staff that keep the library running like a well oiled machine. I love listening to the sounds of, Story Time, on, Wednesday afternoons. They draw a big crowd and the sound of happy children giggling and laughing is always a joy to the heart. The staff are so nice to everyone, including the obviously homeless visitors and the atmosphere they maintain is friendly, warm and welcoming. They are the heart and soul of this library and they work very hard to keep the environment warm, friendly and respectful. Good people are always the key to success in any endeavor and and from what I've experienced in the time I've spent here, good things will continue to pour forth into the community surrounding this little gem for a long time to come.