Several months ago The Selma Times-Journal reported with some sadness the retirement of Big Fish from the aquarium in the Selma-Dallas County Library.

Through 16 years, the Doctorfish gave pleasure to children and their parents, simply by swimming around and eating algae.

Many lessons were learned about fish; about how they are cared for; about life, in general.

Through the generosity of BankTrust, Big Fish was retired to a tank at the home of John Lipsey, who tends to the aquarium at the library.

And through the generosity of BankTrust, the search for a new Little Big Fish began.

On Friday, Lipsey arrived from Atlanta with a couple of polystyrene chests of fish and among them, the new Little Big Fish.

In about two hours within his arrival, Little Big Fish swam to the bottom of the aquarium and hid within the coral, learning his new surroundings and watching other fish swim about overhead.

A library generally is a place people go to read and check out books.

Here, in Selma, our library is a learning place. It is filled with good books, computers for homework access and other lessons, including those the public has learned from Big Fish.

And now, Little Big Fish will grab another generation of children, teaching them lessons about aquatics and fish and yes, even life.

If you have the opportunity, go by and welcome Little Big Fish to its new home in Selma. While you’re there, congratulate the library; it celebrates a birthday milestone this week.

We’re all richer for the learning and culture our public library gives us.