What Public Libraries Mean to Me

When my brother and I were younger our parents would always take us to the public library near our house. We would go to attend programs, check out books, or just read. This early exposure started my deep appreciation for libraries at an early age. I loved to read and appreciated the ease of access to any book on any topic. In addition to giving me access to a dearth of books; libraries became a haven for me. In middle school when I was having trouble fitting in and making friends at a new school I turned to the library. It was there that I would wait to get picked up from school, meet a librarian that would positively impact my life, and begin to make friends. Libraries were able to all of that for me but I am certain that they do more for others.

Libraries provide communities with resources some wouldn’t even think people needed. They are polling places, free childcare spaces, internet cafes, meeting spaces, and most of all a place to expand your mind. For families that can’t afford to buy books for their children libraries make reading limitless.

It is concerning to think that one day libraries might be obsolete. Many argue that with the shift to eBooks and everything being online, people won’t need them anymore. I disagree with that sentiment. We learned this week that there is a digital divide such that some people lack access to the internet in their homes. This creates a need for a space other than Starbucks to go to use free internet, assuming people have access to computers as well. Libraries give people a place to come use the internet without any external capitalist pressures. Libraries are also safe places for children to go after school to wait for rides. In high school I would see tons of people walking to the library after school to wait for their parents. Libraries do these things and more for marginalized communities. In addition, some people just like to read paper books and libraries have those. To get rid of public libraries would further exclude communities that rely on their services and diminish the equity that they work so hard to create.

I think libraries are a great way to connect with your community and and expand your mind. I hope they never become a thing of the past. To this day I still remember my library card number and use it to check out books from my public library system.

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