Before instant messages, before email, before texting, there was only the postal service. Instead of waiting hours or even minutes for a reply, letters sent through the mail containing a person’s thoughts and feelings could take days or even weeks to reach their destination.
Even after the invention of digital messages, many people still sought out “pen pals” to correspond with via old-fashioned letters.
In an age where replies are expected almost instantaneously, letters can be a fun and different way to communicate. Many of this generation’s children may have never experienced the excitement of sending a letter and finally receiving one in return.
To help bring back the fun of letter writing, the Summers County Public Library is starting a Library Pen Pal program. Kids send a letter to the library and are then assigned a “pen pal.” The pen pals consist of library staff members and volunteers who will then respond to each letter.
The Library Pen Pal Program will begin in October and run indefinitely.
Letters can be sent to Summers County Public Library at 201 Temple Street, Hinton WV, 25951.
For more information call the library during hours of operation at 304-466-4490.
