Christopher W. Williams, of Bethesda, was crowned "King of Snapshot Day" Wednesday at the Bethesda Public Library. He was the tenth person to come through the door on the tenth day of the tenth month, which is the day libraries all over the country have designated as the date to collect stories, photos, and statistics about how libraries are used.

Mr. Williams has lived in Bethesda for five years, and he comes to the library about once a month, usually with his two sons. He says, "I'm trying to get them off their smart phones and to actually read." He came to the library Wednesday because his computer at home is being upgraded, and he needed to use the computers at the library.

If he had time, he was also going to look at magazines he likes to read. Mr. Williams and his wife like to borrow "classics" from the library. When asked if he ever borrowed digital books he said, "No, I'm old fashioned."

And, he admitted, he didn't own a Kindle.

About libraries, Mr. Williams said, "They provide a separate peace, a place to
reflect, think, relax, learn, and be better informed about both the past and
the future. Libraries perform an important role in the community as they are public and open to all."

The Friends of the Montgomery County and the Friends of the Bethesda Library contributed gift certificates to their book stores to give to the King as a prize. The Library Advisory Committee of Bethesda sponsored the contest and are handing out comment cards for patrons to fill out to express why they love their libraries.