The Atari, the Library, and the Power of the Match
In mid-2022, I wanted to do something meaningful for the town I had called home since 2018. Having built my career in software and now at Code Jamboree, I know that my professional success began in a quiet corner of a public library decades ago. I started reaching out to various nonprofits and sponsoring events. I soon discovered that our local library director was seeking someone to sponsor Library Lovers Month. We met a few times over the next few months, and then started doing public interviews and videos during library lovers month, leading up to the day of giving. On February 13, 2023, our video interview with Mike McCool of the Royal Examiner was published.
Back to Basics During my “Town Talk” interview with Mike McCool, I brought along my original Atari 400. It’s a relic now, but to me, it’s a reminder of a time when I had to program my own games because I couldn’t afford to buy them. I didn’t have the internet; I had the community library. Every week, I would check out every book on BASIC programming I could find.
The Matching Grant. That experience is why I committed to a $3,500 matching grant for Samuel’s Public Library’s Day of Giving. My goal was simple: make every dollar the community gave go twice as far. If the community raises $3,500, my company will match it, doubling the impact to $7,000 for library programs.
Beyond the Numbers The interview wasn’t just about the money. We talked about:
- The “Smart Car” and my Corgi: Mike got a kick out of my electric car and my dog—proving that civic engagement doesn’t have to be stiff and formal.
- The Digital Divide: We discussed how the library remains a vital “hotspot” for people in Warren County who still lack reliable internet.
- The “Platinum” Standard: I joked about wanting a platinum library card, but the truth is, I just wanted to ensure the library could keep its doors open and its lights on for the next kid with an Atari (or a laptop) and a dream.
This interview was my first real “public” moment in Front Royal. It set the stage for everything that followed—from my work on the budget to my eventual appointment as a Trustee. It’s a reminder that before I was a “watchdog,” I was a patron.
Read the article: Town Talk: A conversation with Michelle Ross and Lewie Moten – Samuels Public Library Day of Giving, or watch the video.
