I’ve recently joined a book club. Gathering with both old and new friends, we are brought together by our love of the literary. As I turned the pages of our latest read, I smiled at the adventurous and unknown path this book took to travel into my hands — for my eyes were not the first to gaze upon its pages.

When I was a child, my family and I spent hours at the library together. It was a treasured ritual. We would sit together and explore the shelves before walking away with bags of books to enjoy during the week ahead. Every other family in our neighborhood and at my school did the same. Books were borrowed back then and following a timeless tradition, I had come to the book in my hands through the same way.

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I could spend an entire day getting lost in the shelves of a book store. Walking throughout tiny undiscovered book stores or browsing the new pages of giant retail chains are playgrounds equally endearing in my life. However, in an economic recession, they aren’t quite as appealing as the literary treasure in our own back yard — the Bothell Library.

After years of scarce visitors, local libraries are making a comeback. Now more than ever, libraries are seeing an increase in visitors and are busier than in years. Alongside the fashion trends of decades past, former days are alive and well again. The days when families gathered together at libraries and sought the free resources within the community have resurrected. It may have taken the climate of hardship, but the treasure of the library in our own back yard has been rediscovered.

During a time in our history when families are feeling the challenge of economic struggle and are seeking ways of coming together to reduce rising financial tension, our local library offers a place to gather together and tap into innumerous resources. Rent a DVD or video to watch tonight. Check out newspapers, magazines and books to read as you indulge in a slower pace. eBooks or books on tape or CD are also available. Discover the information or reference material needed as your child explores colleges and scholarships. The library also offers free computer use and Internet access, as well as free wireless Internet connection. Business resources, multilingual materials and government documents are all there, too.

For children and toddlers, story times are regularly available and are offered in several languages including Russian, Spanish, Korean, Chinese and English. For teens, the library offers writing workshops and opportunities to play video games free of charge. This month, programs for adults include resume, interviewing and business ownership workshops, as well as English as a Second Language classes for adults. Additionally, students K-12 can get homework help through the Study Zone at the library from local volunteer tutors from 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays or via online assistance from 2-10 p.m. daily. What a deal!

Visit the Bothell Library today: 18215 98th Ave. N.E. or call (425) 486-7811 to speak with a library representative. For further information on the King County Library System, visit www.kcls.org.

As a final note, this Friday and Saturday May 15-16, the Bothell Library will be hosting the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale. Everyone is welcome. Happy reading as you save money and explore this timeless treasure of our community. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to my book — I hear it calling my name.

Shannon Renae West, MS LMFT, is a licensed family therapist working with adolescents and young adults in Bothell. For more information, visit www.ShannonRenae.com.