Richard “Rich” Osada, a devoted patron of the Penn Kidder Library Center, sat down with library director Kara Edmonds to share what the library means to him
Rich spent most of his life in Philadelphia. After spending six years in Wisconsin, he decided to move back to the area. He has called Kidder Township home for the last eight years.
Before retirement, Rich worked as an arborist. Being an arborist is both physically demanding and dangerous. His eyes lit up when he talked about his work. “I got to climb trees and get paid for it!”
Rich’s love for books started when he was in the Marine Corp. He spent six months on a Navy ship. During that time, Rich spent many hours in the ship’s small library reading fiction such as Harold Robbins, a novelist from the 60’s and 70’s. Non-fiction is where he finds the most enjoyment, but will read an occasional novel.
Rich’s favorite part of the Penn Kidder Library Center is its sense of community. People have welcomed him and the staff is always friendly. “It’s more than a library,” The Penn Kidder branch of the Dimmick Library is small, but “For a small library, you have lots of resources. I always see something else to check out later”. During a typical week, Rich has been known to check out two or three new books once or twice a week. “I borrow more than I’m going to read, it gives me a selection.” The library is so important to Rich that he “talks it up every time [he] goes somewhere.”
A few of his favorite books are; “The Ride of Her Life,” by Elizabeth Letts, and, “The Long Haul: A Trucker’s Tales” by Finn Murphy. He describes “The Long Haul” as eye-opening, funny and informative. Another favorite author is Mary Roach who he finds is “funny as hell.”
As an adult, Rich has tried to re-read poems and Shakespeare. When asked about reading Shakespeare, he stated “I didn’t get him then [high school]. I don’t get him now.”
Rich is always looking for others who enjoy reading books. “I read these books and it’s so good that I want to talk to somebody about it!” When the Penn Kidder Book Club was meeting at the old library location, Rich thoroughly enjoyed the discussions.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in a book club, please contact the library. We plan to start one up again!!
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