Did you know that libraries provide a lot more than just free books? They have other free materials, of course: DVDs, music CDs, video games, and lots of digital content (ebooks, eaudiobooks, etc). But libraries are a lot more than the free stuff we keep inside them.
Right now, your library is helping someone develop their resume, learn how to use the computer, and find a job. They’re connecting someone to specialized community resources for debt management. They’re helping seniors create their very first email accounts so they can communicate with their grandchildren, and they’re helping those same grandchildren develop a life-long love of reading.
During the course of this day your library will answer hundreds of questions. From the simple query to the complicated research process, your library helps people find information and, more importantly, helps them learn how to find information. And your library is hipper than you might think; they’re not only answering questions in-person and over the phone, they’re answering questions online, too, in live chat sessions, and they’re answering questions sent to them via SMS, via IM, via Facebook and Twitter.
A recent article about librarians called them “genuine saints”, because they do all this without ever thinking about profit margins. Librarians help because they’re driven to help, and they’ll never get rich doing it. In fact, many libraries are cutting staff, cutting hours, and cutting away layers of their expertise. Why? Because they aren’t getting your support.
Libraries need your support. They need your vote, your donations, your outspoken acclaim. Librarians need you to stand up and speak for them because they, like many saints, are too humble to speak for themselves.
Libraries don’t put out fires, unless you count the fires of ignorance. They don’t prevent crime, unless you count the crimes of thoughtlessness. They don’t build roads, unless you count a thousand roads to knowledge. Libraries are as important, and as worthy of your tax dollars, as fire departments, police departments, and road maintenance.
If you think the library is great, but just for other people, think again. Your library has a lot of new tricks up its sleeve, and something is bound to appeal. Ask them; they may have ebooks for your Kindle, an app for your iPhone, games for your Xbox, or audiobooks for your commute. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Whatever you do, though, support your local library. Vote for them. Speak up for them. Libraries are amazing, they’re cost-effective, and they’re unique, and if they are allowed to fade away, there will be nothing there to take their place.
(If you agree with this post then please take it, in its entirety, and repost it wherever you like. You may credit me, or not, but I really think we need to get the word out, and make sure people KNOW that libraries are out there and what they’re all about.)