By Paty Baum, Director
Patricia Baum interviews longtime library volunteer, Dennis Naigle
How did you get involved with the library?
I have been involved with the Palapa Society since 2012, serving on the Palapa Society Board, with the Tianguis, and the 5K run. When I transitioned from those events, I was looking for somewhere else to volunteer.
I’d been in the library a number of times when it was downtown by the basketball court, and I noticed it kept getting bigger and bigger. When I saw the new location at the Palapa Learning Center, I thought, wow, this is incredible. I knew they needed volunteers, so I thought, Hey I can make it every Wednesday for 3 hours without too much trouble. Since it was a worthy cause and I liked books, I was very happy to help.
My favorite part is meeting people I didn't know before. People I meet are very nice. Most importantly I have easy access to all kinds of great books. Often, I receive books people return and think, I want to check that one out myself. Having so many great books to read really helps me get away from looking at the computer so much.
I also love stocking the Little Free Libraries, which are a part of a worldwide, free book sharing organization. They were a way for people to get books during COVID when the library was closed.
What kind of books do you like?
I like non-fiction, especially history and specifically WWII and earlier. I prefer anything that is not about the present.
One particular book that stands out, and it’s a very tough read but extremely engrossing, is about General Douglas MacArthur and called American Caesar by William Manchester. This was a man who was expected to be just like his father and grandfather. Both were very tough military men. It shows his humanistic side in his decisions about international policy, especially regarding rebuilding post-war Japan.
Do you think a book can change somebody’s life?
Yes, I do. Books are knowledge. The internet is powerful, but there is no question about the power of a good book.
If learning about Dennis Naigle’s dedicated service has inspired you to volunteer at the BEP, please contact Paty Baum by clicking here.
BEP hours M,W, F 10:00am -1:00pm
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