I have long recognized the Boone County Public Library as an invaluable community asset.
Having worked in communities in other parts of the country, where libraries provide only basic services, I truly appreciate the programs events and activities offered at BCPL branches throughout the county.
As a journalist in the region for more than I decade, I have used the BCPL Main Library in Burlington for meetings, interviews and research.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff in the Local History and Genealogy department have been an invaluable source of information and story ideas.
The rich history of Boone County and Northern Kentucky that includes the Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, the Dinsmore Homestead and the dozens of family cemeteries that date back to the days of the Civil War and beyond have all provide inspiration for articles.
The Loder Diary, the daily, first-person account of the life of a Petersburg resident that spans more than 45 years, beginning in 1957, became so much more than research material for me. Lewis Loder’s journal transported me back to a time when the now often-overlooked town was an essential hub for those traveling the Ohio River by boat.
As managing editor of the Northern Kentucky Tribune, the BCPL branches have become an even more valuable resource. The ability to pop in to locations throughout Boone County and, using the library’s free WiFi, allows me to write, edit and publish stories to our site almost immediately.
It is not uncommon to see me at the counter near Battaglia’s Deli at the Main Library in Burlington, having lunch while publishing our newsletter that is sent out to Northern Kentucky readers every day.
I often refer to the library branches, only half-jokingly, as my satellite offices.
Often, when I post to social media that I am working from my Burlington or Union “office,” I will get a visit from someone in the area with a story idea, or just to say hello. Just as frequently, I will run into Boone County’s elected officials, business leaders or residents, who also recognize and utilize the wide range of resources offered by the BCPL.
Probably the most rewarding thing about the library for me is the sense of community that it helps foster in Boone County and beyond.
The monthly calendar of events brings people together to share common interests, or just to enjoy an evening of music or entertainment.
The amazing exhibits, such as the Robot Zoo, draw people from all over the region.
The Boone County Public Library is a community resource in every sense of the word and Northern Kentucky is richer because of it.
–Mark Hansel, Managing Editor Northern Kentucky Tribune