Libraries have been a lifelong passion for me. Their role in the community is multi-faceted in what they offer to local residents. It is more than the bricks and mortar; it is the nucleus of rural communities – socially, culturally, and educationally. I like to think of the modern day library as the campfire of the 21st Century, where communities can get Internet access and reference tools. They serve as a meeting place and are seen as a source of pride.