Thank you Sarah for speaking at City Hall about the library

Sarah Wix is our library star! Seated on your (perspective) left.

These are the words she shared at the Budget 2026 hearing on the evening of November 24, 2025.

Good Evening. My name is Sarah Wix and I have lived in Seymour for the last 22 years. I raised both of my children here. They attended Seymour High School and since graduating have been blessed to travel the world and even have lived in some of its largest cities. No matter where they go, however, they both agree that Seymour always feels like home.

Several weeks ago, I was approached by Elizabeth Timmins and she asked me to write a piece on what the library means to me. So, like our local library, I have a story for you.

Growing up, I was the eldest of six children. My father was a private school teacher and my mother was a stay-at-home mom. We didn’t have a lot of money to do the fun things that everyone else was doing, but one thing we always did was read. Bedtime stories, family devotion, and summer reading programs at our local library were things that we could do together for no cost at all. Through the Book It program (remember that?) we earned pizzas by reading. It was the only time I remember our family of 8 being able to afford to go to a restaurant and was one my happiest childhood memories.

Back then, the library was a place for family to come together.

As I grew older and had children of my own, I was eager to share my library experiences with them. We attended story time every week and it was there that my kids had their first interaction with other children their age. We would bring books and movies home as well, and I did my best to give them the same experiences that I had when I was their age.

Back then, the library was a place of fun and learning.

A few years later I became the victim of domestic violence. I was now a scared, young, single mother and wasn’t sure what to do. Our local library became a place of refuge and normalcy for us and they even helped point me in the right direction of other local programs that could help me get back on my feet.

Then, the library became my weapon.

Determined to give my children the best possible life I could, I decided that I needed to educate myself. I started with an associate’s degree which led to a job in DePere. Affordable housing (at the time) took us to Seymour. Several years later, I decided to earn my bachelor’s degree as well. I was already familiar with our local library, but now I was using it for internet access, printing reports, and to have my exams proctored—by none other than Miss Elizabeth!

The library has become my tool.

Now that I am older and my kids have moved on with lives of their own, I find myself returning to the library once again. I have a master’s degree, a career that I love, and the resources to travel. I even submit some of my vacation photos to the library’s annual photo contest (though I never win). Being an empty nester had left me to find a new purpose and an urge to give back to the community that supported me and my family throughout the years. Our local library has given me that opportunity. After joining book club, I was invited to attend meetings with the Woman’s Club, where we raise money for local programs and scholarships that give our youth the opportunities that they deserve.

The library has become a place of belonging and purpose.

As you can see, the library has been many things to me over the years. And just like how Seymour always feels like home, that library has always been a part of it. We are blessed to have such an amazing resource right here in our backyard, and I am forever grateful to those who keep it running. Not only the amazing librarians and volunteers, but also the city that recognizes its value and ensures that others, like me, can continue to benefit from our local library for generations to come.

Thank you!

I (Elizabeth) started crying (in a good way) because Sarah’s words made me so proud of the library ideals that work for our patrons while we (the librarians) do not even know. We are just busy doing the work!