Staying cool in this heat wave

The heat is oppressive across the country.

Today when I went to run errands, I found the thermometer outside our door, which has withstood winter's double digits in the negative, had exploded. Out in my car, temperatures ranged from 97-103 along my route. Whew!

If you're stuck indoors, and hopefully you've got AC, what are you doing to stay cool without becoming bored?

One part of my errands that was refreshing was a stop at the local library to grab a few books. The place was teaming with people of all ages - babies sweetly babbling over picture books, elderly people visiting with librarians, children riding their bikes into the parking lot (and holding open the doors for their elders), a young father juggling a baby in a car seat being towed by two more "grown up," eager readers who were oblivious to the heat, just excited about the library.

This visit to what has been a lifelong source of education, entertainment and enlightenment in my life reminded me of the importance of the library system. Even working in the industry of online marketing, I sincerely hope physical libraries won't be done away with by the takeover of the digital platforms. The ability for a child to sit with a parent reading a book or to find a cool place to hang out in the summer that is not only enriching, but entertaining, puts a golden spotlight on the value of reading and the library system.

Reading is a great escape into worlds we may never touch or see. When it's too cold or warm out to be outdoors, and you can't dive into a pool, river or lake, dive into a book... at your local library.