A few words about public libraries

Among the world’s most unlikely library fans, we should apparently include Keith Richards of the aging Rolling Stones rock ‘n’ roll band. In his autobiography, Richards says not only that books were his first love, but that public libraries are “a great equaliser.” (The Richards story appeared in The Guardian, which can be accessed here.)

Indeed, public libraries remain among our most important institutions. They’re still revolutionary experiments in the sharing of resources and ideas. With a mission to serve everyone in a community, they provide enormous value, regardless of a person’s wealth, or status, or level of education.

Libraries of all sorts are in the midst of a potentially radical transformation as the result of the Internet age. Indeed, some of what libraries can provide is now freely and directly available via the Internet. To be sure, for many people, Google is the new card catalogue. But libraries, and the professionals staffing them, provide more than simply access to information and data files. The services available in modern public libraries far exceed the stereotyped picture that many people still have in mind.

Despite their clear value, the current economic crisis is creating quite a challenge for public libraries almost everywhere. (See, as only one example, a story about funding cuts in West Virginia here.) They’ll need increased public support in order to continue providing service to their communities.

Don’t take my word for it. If you haven’t visited your library lately– whether its physical building or Internet presence — take a moment to check it out. You might be pleasantly surprised.

You can also read a story about public libraries in The Huffington Posthere.

–GA

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