Library Impact Stories

Libraries have the power to change lives.  Following are stories of real Highland City Library patrons and how the Library has impacted their lives.

  1. The McClellan Family
  2. The Fleming Family
  3. The Hunt Family
  4. Julie Muelleck
  5. the buchanan family
  6. The Kitchen family
  7. The Holt family
  8. Book Project
  9. HIVEs
  10. The Wadsworth Family
  11. The Bushman Family
  12. The Rees Family
  13. Jenifer and Sarah
  14. The Johnson Family
  15. The Murdock Family
  16. The Craig Family
  17. Lowell Nelson
  18. Diana Elder
  19. Jacqueline Roettger

A large young blond family

The McClellan Family, Library Patrons of the Year from Alpine

Memories are made at libraries. Samantha McClellan remembers going to the library as a child with her mother. Her mother would pick an aisle, sit down, and finger through the books in front of her. When she found one that interested her, she would take it out, flip through the pages, and put it in her bag to take home. Samantha recalls bags full of books that they read together.

    The family of Jeffrey and Samantha McClellan, who moved to Alpine about six years ago, will have similar happy memories of libraries as they grow up. The children—Anita (13), Shayon (12), Olivia (11), Kamran (9), Enloe (6), and Christian (3)—will be happy to show their new baby around. Their family visits almost weekly. The summer reading program is a highlight for all the children every year. The younger children love Story Time. They remember the books, the music, and the crafts. 

    Over the years the family has read many, many books. They have books they love and can recommend to others. Here are some of their favorites: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, ALL Cassandra Clare book series, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim, Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan, Wings of Fire graphic novel by Tui T. Sutherland, Narwhal and Jelly books, Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges, the Villains series by Serena Valentino, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Warriors by Erin Hunter, Stone Soup by Marcia Brown, The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers (ALL Oliver Jeffers books), Greek Mythology books, Amber and Clay by Laura Amy Schlitz, Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling, Beauty and the Beast by Mahlon F. Craft, The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde, Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glasser, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

    The McClellan children will remember more than just books when they think of their library experience. They will think of the kindness of the staff. One experience is special to them. Enloe (age 6) was looking for the hidden leprechaun but couldn’t find him. He wanted a hint from the librarian but was too shy to ask. Samantha kept helping him practice asking, and she let the librarian know he was nervous. When Enloe finally was able to ask, the librarian encouraged him, took time with him, gave him a hint, and told him that he was brave. And he found the leprechaun.

    Three of the McClellan children are homeschooled, so the books help bring beautiful literature and art into the home. They also bring the spirit of the library. Samantha writes, “Libraries are a type of sanctuary from the world for me. I love the quietness, the cozy reading spots, the way books smell and sound. It is a place of comfort and familiarity.” It is a place to make memories.