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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

As a young boy, the most important and interesting thing in the world to me was “Star Wars.” I took my enthusiasm to great lengths and one way in which I informed my obsession was through the Columbiana Public Library.

I have distinct memories of borrowing an encyclopedia to learn about my favorite monsters in the movies and its expanded universe. I was obsessed with that book. Although the knowledge I was pursuing at the time didn’t have any particular function in the real world, it got me to use my imagination and to practice my reading skills.

Later on in life, as I progressed through the K-12 education system at Elvin Hill Elementary, Columbiana Middle and Shelby County High School, I made use of their libraries to read all sorts of material from Percy Jackson and Harry Potter to “Beowulf” and the “Divine Comedy.” As a young person with the limited budget of $0, libraries were a place where I could feed my love for literature while also feeling guilt-free about trying new things.

When I began attending the University of Montevallo, the Carmichael Library was right there on campus providing me a quiet and introspective place to study, do research, print materials and to just escape from everything. When overwhelmed, it was the perfect place to hide away and relax.

Although we typically associate the idea with the university system, libraries are the true bastion of knowledge and the free exchange of ideas. Books of all types of genres, philosophies and perspectives are available for free—no tuition required! Why not challenge your own preconceptions with a differing perspective? Why not try something new? After all, in the instance the book doesn’t live up to your expectations, just return it for free and grab a new one.

In a digital age with the widespread availability of audiobooks, podcasts and the tempting convenience of Amazon, it seems to me that we often forget about the libraries sitting in each and every municipality. Seldom do we remember their existence and when we do, we think of them as they were decades ago. I believe that many people don’t know about the audiobooks that are accessible using your library card or the convenience of apps that help to digitally access your library.

Your municipality has spent some level of tax payer funds to build a library, fill its collection and employ workers to service the public and help them, you might as well put that to use.

I understand that, as Americans, we are so endlessly busy—so busy that we spend hours binge-watching Netflix, YouTube or scrolling on X and TikTok. So, with the new year here and ready for a fresh start, why not visit your local library?

If that is too much, then perhaps start by cracking open a book. Maybe don’t start with Fyodor Dostoevsky or James Joyce and instead consider something more relaxing. Regardless, I would encourage everyone in 2025 to revisit the great, timeless format for storing knowledge—inscribed on paper and bound in, well, more paper. You might just realize that you’ve been missing out on something that is deeply fulfilling or rediscover an old passion and reignite it.