Tharun — Charlotte, NC

Get to know Tharun…
Hello! I am a 5th grader studying in Elizabeth Lane elementary. Without a doubt, my favorite place to read books is the library. I like checking out humorous books and comic books. This pandemic has affected my life a lot because I have not been able to visit the library. I am stuck at home, but I try to go with my mother to the library occasionally. In my free time, I like to draw, write, and play chess.

What made you interested in being a library ambassador?
At first it was a tough decision to write about the library, but after I knew what they were doing I knew I could do it. Libraries have also changed my life in a positive way . It has personally impacted me because I get to meet new people and learn new things so I wrote 732 words and it wasn’t too bad as I kept on working on it. My sister was the one who told me about it first. I was really happy to be ambassador and thank you for giving me the chance. When I started writing, everything just started flowing from my brain onto that document. At first I was having a “writer’s block” but after I worked through the document, I knew I could do it and I did.

Would you like to give a shout out to your home library?
I want to give a shout out to the south county regional library because they are the ones that gave me the privilege to write this form and be an ambassador. South County Regional Library serves southern Mecklenburg County as the county’s largest regional library. The new renovation began in November 2019 and re-opened to the public on February 22, 2021. If some people have not had a chance to visit the library, I highly recommend you to do so.

What is your earliest library memory?
My earliest memory of going to the library is checking out some books with my parents. It was such a good moment sitting in the library and reading books. In school The 4th graders also had ourselves a “Book Buddy” to read with. This is what I like about the library. It passes on what they know to me, and I pass on what I know to someone else and still have knowledge. I also remember me just wandering in the aisles like me searching for a new adventure to start with. It would also just help me browse for some books that might seem interesting in my opinion. I also might say “Hello Sir/Ma’am, do you know where the Harry Potter books are?,” and they might guide me directly to the Harry Potter section. That is one of my earliest memories. They also recommend a book to me if I do not know what books are the best. If the library does not have the book I want, then they might suggest putting the book on hold until it is ready for me to pick up.

Favorite Book?
Some of my favorite books are City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, Front Desk by Kelly Yang, and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. The one book that I liked the most was Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter has been one of the most liked books all over the U.S.A. I also like the book, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling.

What do you love about libraries?
My home library is the south county regional library where I check out books. The most favorite thing I like is that it provides a view of the much larger teen area in progress on the second floor, shows a community room, placed over the front lobby entrance, and spotlights the lobby with a view of the main entrance. Those are the things that I mostly visit in the library.

What do you want legislators to know about libraries?
I want the legislators to know that the library is a fun and quiet place to read. You can spend most of your time in the library if possible. It is also a good place to do something in peace. It is fun, enjoyable, and you get to learn new things. It has impacted all the people living in the U.S. The library can also be a chance to meet new people and socialize with them. They play a fascinating role in our brain with factual information and many more. I hope you get a chance to visit a library again and take a chance to soak all the valuable information around you.