Why do libraries matter to me? Because, libraries embody the very best of society. From their foundational philosophies through to the intention behind every program and every book on the shelf, the main ideas behind public libraries are access, community and self-betterment. These ideas are vital to society, too, at least, any society I'd want to be a part of.
Libraries provide equal and efficient access to a tremendous amount of information and the resources and assistance required to turn that information into knowledge. Equal access means the libraries provide services to all, regardless of wealth, social status, ethnicity, orientation, gender, age or any other variation on personhood without judgment or prejudice. Libraries strive to build collections and develop programs that will have value for as much of the population as possible. Efficient access means that libraries are able to provide organized access to a wide array of materials and information for many people at a relatively low cost through pooled resources and economies of scale. Libraries provide a high return on investment.
Libraries are, or can be, community hubs to a greater degree than any other commercial or civic organization. They are communally owned, collectively paid for, and open to all. Through their resources and through the provision of a safe, welcoming space, libraries attract people, both individually and in groups. Libraries are neutral spaces for hosting meetings or debates, they bring people together through book clubs and programs, and they encourage civic engagement by providing access to information and to information technology. Because they create foot traffic and attract a wide-range of people, libraries often become the anchors of their neighbourhoods. In doing so, they contribute to communities not only through their services, but also through their very presence.
Not being profit-driven, libraries' success is based on providing valued services to the public. Anyone entering a library building or using an online library service does so with the assurance that the services are provided with no ulterior motive, no strings attached. Libraries exist for the betterment of society, its individuals and communities. Through access to information, resources and services, and through their roles as community hubs, libraries create opportunities for people to better themselves and increase their quality of life.
Betterment may mean improving traditional or digital literacy skills, having access to the tools necessary to complete an online job application or cultivating an informed, imaginative, and critical approach to the world through the practice of reading. Quality of life can also come in the form of a valued weekly interaction with a friendly staff member, making friends in a new community through participation in clubs or programs, or simply having a space to study that is free of the distractions and temptations of home.
The breadth of opportunities for improvement that libraries create for individuals and for communities is of tremendous value to us all.
Libraries matter to me because I believe in their value to society and because their existence indicates that the society that produced them is of high value, too.
