Gathering Together: Gratitude in the Heart of Barrington

November invites us to slow down and notice the power of gathering. Around family tables, at community events, and within the welcoming walls of our library, we come together to share more than just a meal or a story - we share gratitude. In times when the wider world can feel divided, these simple acts of gathering remind us that what unites us is stronger than what separates us.

Gratitude That Connects Us

Gratitude has a way of shifting our perspective. Instead of focusing on disagreements or differences, it calls us to look for what we hold in common. In Barrington, those common threads are easy to see. We value a strong library where children discover books that spark their imagination, where teens explore ideas and friendships, and where adults find resources, connection, and lifelong learning. We

Craft Workshop. Felted Toadstools

take pride in neighbors who donate their time and talents to keep community programs thriving. We cherish local traditions that bring us together.

We celebrate the book sales, concerts, storytimes, and cultural events - all made possible because people choose to give, to gather, and to share.

Forging Unity

When we pause to recognize these shared values, gratitude grows into unity. It bridges gaps that might otherwise feel wide. Whether you lean one way or another politically, whether you’ve lived here for generations or are brand new to town, it’s hard to stand in the library’s Chase Gallery during a bustling book sale or watch children giggle through storytime without feeling that sense of belonging. These moments whisper the truth: we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

Dedicated Volunteers

The Friends of the Barrington Public Library bring unity to life through action. At the heart of it all are our devoted Book Sorters, whose generous hearts and steady dedication keep the cycle of sharing alive. We are profoundly grateful for the countless hours they give, ensuring every book finds its place.

Collectively, We All Make it Happen

Daily Book Sale

Shoppers at the Daily Sale and the Big Sales discover treasures that, in turn, help fund more than 88% of the library’s programs. Donors add to this circle by passing along their gently loved

books, knowing that what once brought joy in their homes will bring joy again in someone else’s. Together, every act matters, and every person makes a difference.

This November, let’s remember that gratitude is more than a feeling—it is a practice of seeing the best in each other and choosing to come together despite differences. Barrington is fortunate to have a library that offers us common ground, a place where stories connect us, where knowledge unites us, and where community flourishes. In a season of thanks, may we continue to gather in gratitude,

and in doing so, discover anew the heart of who we are.

By Bonnie Aspen, Board Member, Friends of the Barrington Public Library 

 *adapted from article submitted to Greet Barrington