Every day, the James V. Brown Library changes lives in ways that are both quiet and profound.

Not long ago, a local veteran visited the Library looking for the book A Miracle at Attu: The Rescue of CG 1600. The story recounts a 1982 Coast Guard aircraft crash in remote Alaska. While speaking with Public Service staff member Jill Wollet, he shared something deeply personal. He had known several of the men on that flight. He was meant to be with them that day.

Jill helped him find and borrow the book. When he returned a few weeks later, he approached the desk with tears in his eyes. He spoke softly about what it meant to finally hold that story in his hands. The book had brought back memories, both painful and healing, and it reminded him that those who were lost would never be forgotten. Both he and Jill wiped away tears before he left that day.

This moment, shared in the Library’s recent annual fund letter, reflects the heart of the Library’s mission.

“Moments like this remind us why the Library matters,” said Amy C. Resh, CEO and Director of the James V. Brown Library. “It is not simply a place to borrow books. It is a place to be human together. It is a place where stories are honored and where people find a sense of belonging.”

The Library’s community appeal this year centers on a simple truth.

Small moments make a big difference.

Every time someone asks a question, finds the right resource, sits in storytime, completes a job application, or finds a person who listens, something shifts in a meaningful way.

Your support makes these moments possible.

Gifts to the Library help sustain

• Personal and compassionate assistance from trained staff

• Programs that inspire children, teens, and adults

• Free access to technology and digital learning support

• A safe and welcoming space where every person is valued

This year, the Library is also inviting the community to become Library Champions, a group of monthly donors whose steady support ensures these moments can continue every single day.

Donations may be mailed to James V. Brown Library 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, PA 17701 or made online at jvbrown.edu/support the library.

“Your generosity is part of every story that unfolds here,” Resh said. “Because of you, someone finds hope. Someone learns something new. Someone feels seen. That is the impact of a community that believes in its library.”

The James V. Brown Library, which provided this column, is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. To place a hold, visit www.jvbrown.edu or call 570-326-0536 during the library’s operating hours. Walk-in passport services are available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.