How has the public library helped you and your family?

"Store counters may be a bit slow these days, but many people are 'shopping' at their public libraries," says Long Hill Township Public Library Director Mary Martin. "The current economy has many families taking action to relieve the pressure of their shrinking financial resources."

People of all ages are coming into the library to check out the latest DVDs, bestsellers, and children's books. Storytimes and other library programs are filled with excited kids and their parents, eager to be entertained and educated. And the library's computers and wireless Internet access are busier than ever, filled with students doing research after school, senior citizens emailing families and friends, and - in another sign of the times - people conducting job searches. The public library also serves as a community center where groups such as Cub Scouts, knitters, movie lovers or job seekers can gather, and where families can sit and do a puzzle or play a game together.

How has the public library helped you and your family? This spring, the Long Hill Township Library, the American Library Association (ALA) and Woman's Day magazine are sponsoring an essay contest about what makes your public library special. Through May 9th, women over the age of 18 can submit their stories of how the public library has helped them and their families to womansday@ala.org.

Entries will be judged on originality, clarity of ideas, and grace of expression, and the winning entries will be featured in the March 2011 issue of Woman's Day. For more information and to read the official rules, visit www.womansday.com/ala.