Addison parent shares joy of library with daughters, students, and local families

Tania Viramontes has lived in Addison since she was just one year old and has been using the Addison Public Library for as long as she can remember. She has fond memories of visiting the first library building as a child.

"When I was little, my dad would bring us (to the library). We would walk, when we lived near the post office. Later he would drive us, when we moved near Byron Park," said Viramontes. "My parents spoke Spanish and would always try to do the best for us and get us to learn English, so they would borrow videos, audiobooks, and books that would go between English and Spanish. They were learning (English) while we were learning."

Just a few years after the library's current building was constructed in 2008, Viramontes had a family of her own to take to the library. Like Viramontes, her daughters ages 10 and 7, have been using the library since the very beginning of their lives, checking out stacks of books at every opportunity.

"(Before the pandemic) we would come probably every month to get books, and we'd leave with at least 20. My daughters would have me read to them every night, or I'd read a book and then they'd take a turn reading it by saying how they saw the pictures," said Viramontes. "I'm also a teacher, so sometimes I would come and get more books for the classroom, too."

Viramontes and her daughters have always enjoyed the crafts and activities offered at the library, sometimes even checking out books to tie into the craft's theme. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, crafts from the library played an even bigger role in their lives.

"The craft kits really helped throughout the year, especially with everything else going on," Viramontes said. "The crafts helped keep the kids occupied. It's been good to see them do things on their own and be more independent."

Viramontes has also lauded the library as a space where her daughters can grow socially, connecting with their peers as they played with the library's Legos and blocks. It was an "extra benefit" to being a library user, she said. And that's not the only extra benefit Viramontes has found as a regular library patron: she has been surprised to discover lesser-known library services that benefit the community at large.

"As a teacher, I work with a lot of Hispanic families who may not know where to get extra resources from, and (the library) offers so much. I remember hearing about the library's (Career Online High School) program and all the help for job seekers, too. There are a lot of things that you don't expect a library to normally have, but it's here, and it's for everyone," Viramontes said. "You can always find someone to help you, to explain to you how to use the computer, or tell you how to find English classes."

No matter where you are in your life, "it's always good to have a library card," Viramontes said. She actively encourages her family members to get their library cards and put them to use, and hopes her fellow Addison residents will do the same.

"Everyone is so helpful. Maybe your kids need resources for school, or extra help with homework. You can come (to the library) to get books and ask for help. It's nice to see that you don't feel embarrassed to come in and ask a question" said Viramontes. "Go get your library card. It's worth it!"