Three times a year I design a brochure that explains opportunities available for youths from birth through age 17 at our library.
It is always a rather monstrous task to wrangle into submission, and I'm always relieved when it's ready to print. Ever aiming for perfection, no matter how often I miss the mark, at least two sets of eyes proofread it before I start burning up toner to beat the band.
Esther Hurwitz is one of the coworkers I'll hit up for this brain-numbing exercise of proofreading. Several times, she told me it makes her feel tired just looking at it. I get the same feeling, so I didn't think much of her statement. For me, it outlines a lot of upcoming work and deadlines, so logically it would make me tired.
She had to come at it from a different angle to get her point across. "It needs more white space." I had purposely pushed the margins to the printable edge of reason to cram in more information. Could less really be more?
Another coworker, Ginny Dennison, pointed out the need for "empty" space in another library realm: displays. I was asking her and our volunteers to put two books in each book stand, so we'd have a "backup." Ginny noticed fewer items got picked up from the displays when we did this. The display was overwhelming … too busy.
This need for white space, or margin, has spilled over into my thinking about other areas of my life as well. I am an expert at cramming in as much as possible into my time and a novice at creating a "rhythm of rest" — as my pastor, Ian Anderson, calls it.
Perhaps instead of squeezing out every last drop of energy, it would be wiser to intentionally build in white space … margin … rest.
Heather Nitzel is the Crestview Public Library's youth services librarian.
Here are upcoming events at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive:
AGES 0-2 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Thursdays and 9:15 a.m. Fridays, Crestview library. Limited to 30 children per class. Topics are: Jan. 5, 12 and 13, Color; Jan. 19-20, Bedtime (wear pajamas); Feb. 2-3 and 9-10, Baby Love; Feb. 16-17, and 23-24, Birthdays; March 2-3 and 9-10, Chicks & Ducklings; March 16-17, Growing & Gardening; March 23-24 and 30-31, Animal Sounds; April 6-7, and 13, Spring and Easter; April 20-21 and 27, Wildlife; May 4-5 and 11-12, Praiseworthy Parents.
AGES 3-5 LIBRARY CLASS: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview library. Topics are: Jan. 10 and 17, Reach for Peace; Jan. 24 and 31, Clothing; Feb. 7, Eye Care; Feb. 14, Valentines; Feb. 28, African Tales; March 7, Farm to Table; March 14, In Our Garden; March 28, Flying High; April 4 and 11, Easter; April 25, Environmental Center Field Trip; May 2 and 9, Praiseworthy Parents.
FRIENDS OF THE CRESTVIEW LIBRARY: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 19, Crestview library. Membership starts at $10 a year for individuals.
FAMILY LIBRARY TIME: Events for ages 4 and up at the Crestview library are as follows.
●6:30-7:15 p.m. Jan. 26, Crestview library. Bear Hunt for ages 4 and up. Wear pajamas, and bring a teddy bear, flashlight, and six cookies to share. Limited to first 30 children; registration recommended.
●6:30-7:15 p.m. Feb. 21, Pelican Pickers perform music for the young and young at heart.
●6:30-7:15 p.m. March 21, Beekeeping with Bundrick Honey Farms.
●6:30-7:15 p.m. April 18, Nonie's Ark visit. Registration limited to first 30 children ages 4 and up only.
FREE TAX PREPARATION AND FILING: 2-6 p.m. Mondays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays Feb. 2-April 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.
TEEN WII: 2-4 p.m. Fridays, Crestview library. Wii playing for students in grades 6-12.
READ TO DOZER: First Saturdays, 10-11 a.m. for children ages 4 and up.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Considering the value of white space