After 100 years of borrowing library books and reading thousands, one question remains—who is she, and what’s her story?
Have you ever wondered whether you’ll still be into all your hobbies when you’re old? Will you still be picking up books when your age reaches triple digits? Well, in Ohio, one woman has shown no signs of slowing down — even after 100 years!
Meet Ohio’s Oldest Reader
Lily Walter, who turns 105 this May, has spent over a century developing her love of books. She first entered a library at four years old, receiving her first library card. Now, over one hundred years later, she’s just renewed her card at the Hubbard Public Library in Ohio, continuing a tradition that has been a huge part of her long life.
Originally from Latvia, Lily moved to the United States in 1949 and has called it home ever since. Reading has always offered more than just knowledge to Lily; when reflecting on the role that books have played in her life, she said, “In hard times, [reading] can take you to a better place.”
Her story, from immigrating to the States, to living to 105, and showing no signs of stopping there, is a testament to the power of knowledge, learning, and growth.
It isn’t just the books that Lily loves, though. Her connection to libraries also runs deep. In her 80s and 90s, she volunteered her time at the public library. She used to love looking at the circulation data, curious to see which books had been taken out and which were being looked over by her community.
What Lily’s Been Reading
Of course, at 105, Lily has read more books than many of us could ever dream of! She’s read thousands of books; in fact, she’s taken thousands out from Hubbard alone. And yet, peculiarly, she doesn’t like to make book recommendations. She believes that reading is personal, and that each reader should be free to discover their own favourites without influence.
That being said, we do know a few of the books she’s read over the years, like Freedom: Memoirs 1954–2021 by Angela Merkel, Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench, and Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot. She has also enjoyed Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley, Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor, and The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood.
According to Lily’s daughter, her mother’s reading tastes are varied and adventurous. She loves fiction, cozy mysteries, but most of all, books about people. Lily loves a story that connects with a person, a real person, reflecting their warmth, complexity and telling their story.
How Reading Impacts Us as We Age
It’s no surprise that Lily has lived so long — after all, she’s been an avid reader from a very young age. This love of books hasn’t just filled her days with joy and knowledge, but it has likely played a key role in her remarkable age and mental sharpness.
Reading is widely recognized as one of the most beneficial activities for the brain, especially as we age. It has the power to stimulate cognitive function by encouraging the formation of new neurons and strengthening the brain’s existing neural networks. This can improve our analytical thinking, reasoning skills, and memory retention, all of which are areas that naturally decline over time without regular work and engagement.
Lily’s dedication to reading has likely supported her intellect and her overall well-being. Studies have shown that reading helps the brain to unwind, easing mental strain and even muscle tension. This calming effect contributes to better impulse control, more regulated emotions, and improved sleep quality. Altogether, this helps to improve cognitive and physical health!
Not only that, but brain-challenging and engaging activities like reading can actually help to prevent or delay the onset of neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s!
How Your Local Library Can Benefit You
We can all learn from Lily. She has used her life to learn and to love her library, and, ultimately, spent two decades giving back to it, too.
Far more than just places to borrow books, libraries serve as free educational hubs that level the playing field. In many communities where access to learning resources is limited, libraries break down those barriers by providing books, internet access, classes, and support. They make a huge difference for people who can’t afford private tutoring or textbooks, or who perhaps don’t have anywhere else to study.
They are often also safe havens. For vulnerable members of our communities (think the homeless, the elderly), libraries offer warmth, safety, and somewhere to spend the day without having to spend any money.
Libraries also play a crucial part in preserving local history. Many libraries have archives, host events, and foster a sense of community in their local areas. Through their outreach, they continue to nurture the connections that have been around for generations. This is especially important in our technological era of isolation.
There’s a reason that Lily has spent 100 years loving libraries, and spending her days walking the stacks searching for her next read, and doing so has clearly done her wonders. A lifelong love of libraries has served her well, and we hope that her story inspires others to feel the same.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
