One of the best parts of being a librarian is getting to know the people who make our communities so special. While we love seeing familiar faces at the library, there's something extra fun about running into patrons in unexpected places — on vacation, at the grocery store, at a concert or even halfway across the country. These chance encounters are a reminder that the connections we build at the library extend far beyond our walls. Here are a few favorite stories from KDL librarians about the most surprising places they've crossed paths with library friends.
"Vacationing in Florida, I was climbing into a boat after beaching in the intercoastal by Don Pedro Island when I heard from another boat, "IS THAT YOU MISS HOLLY"!! Sure enough, it was one of my storytimers! Luckily, I got into the boat and was able to return the HELLO, which wasn't an easy climb. I'm sure they saw me struggling!"
-Holly, East Grand Rapids Branch
"I have run into Storytime kids (and their families) at Costco! Everyone loves a good deal."
-Martha, Gaines Twp. Branch
"I once ran into a patron in the gift shop at the Pop Century hotel at Walt Disney World. Many years later I ran into another patron at the pool at our hotel at Universal Studios in Orlando."
-Susan, Plainfield Twp. Branch
"Three years ago, a patron who used to attend Lynn's Toddler Time at Plainfield, moved with her family to the Grand Canyon. I was there on July 4th with my family and ran into the patron and her family. I immediately snapped a selfie with her permission and texted it to Lynn. She shared that she used some of the rhymes that she learned from Lynn at her job at the Grand Canyon Day care."
-Kathy, Plainfield Twp. Branch
"I love walking or driving the KDL van in the local parades, but this year, I went and watched the EGR parade. A patron was walking in the parade and saw me with my kids and yelled "I know you! I take my grandkids to your storytimes!" It was a fun role reversal on the 4th of July."
-Sarah, East Grand Rapids Branch
"I brought my youngest up for college orientation at Michigan Tech a few weeks ago and ran into Wes, one of our Teen Crew volunteers, who was attending camp all the way up in Houghton! His mom stopped in (today!) and said he called her right away to share the fun surprise. It made me realize that even though it feels like he will be a million miles away, home is never that far!"
-Audrey, Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch
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