Doc’s Doctrine #31: Only boring people get bored.

It’s that time of the summer when your kids or grand kids might be wearing you out with the old axiom, “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.” At the risk of sounding like a public service announcement or the nightly local TV news (zzz), here’s a suggestion: check out the Peoria Public Library North Branch, behind Menards on Peoria’s North side.

I dropped in there a couple weeks ago, arriving at 10 a.m. To my surprise, the new branch was just opening and people were flocking to the front door in droves, like I witness at the Sunday 11 a.m. Northwoods Community Church service when I make a rare appearance there. So, obviously, I am late getting in on this knowledge party.

I went to the North Branch just to find some air conditioned solitude and quiet so I could do some writing, trying to break a writer’s block. I was impressed at the new facility and think you’ll be, too. I made my way back to an area near the back left of the main area and saw I’d sat down next to the biographies aisle. As a guy who only reads non fiction, I thought to myself, I could spend years reading just that stack alone.

At their Facebook page HERE, I scrolled through the posts to see that they’ve got lots to offer in addition to the stuff you’d expect at any library. They’re hosting summer reading programs for kids, musical events, movies and book author meet-n-greets. Local politicians use the North Branch as a place to announce new programs for the community. This is the part of socialism we all like!

If you go, beware of their unbalanced hours. I went this week on Tuesday morning, only to find it CLOSED. They’re open the other six days, but hours vary. Enjoy your summer and grow your brain at the new North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Parkway, off Townline Road behind Menards and near the intersection of Rt. 6 and Allen Road on Peoria’s North side.

Doc Watson