I love my library. It’s walking distance from several schools, and is nestled among townhouses and single-family homes that span the affordability spectrum. It feels like a small town library, tucked away in a green corner of the big city. We have several groups of tweens who walk to the library every day after school to play video games on the computer, work on homework, study, chat and play endless rounds of Uno. It’s wonderful to see the space being so consistently used, and to know that these young folks feel safe and welcome in the library – even if I do sometimes have to remind them to eat their potato chips and cheetos outside!
Much of the current discussion around libraries centres on books, which I understand, given the increasing prevalence of book challenges and bans, and attacks on funding. Books and other reading materials are obviously important, but the library is so much more than that. It’s a community space with very few barriers to entry (though I acknowledge that it’s not barrier-free by any means) – there’s no expectation that you’ll buy anything, and you can stay from open to close. All we ask is that people respect the materials, the space, themselves and each other – how revolutionary is that?
I wish that the people who make decisions about libraries would spend more time actually exploring and experiencing them – then they might see how vibrant and alive libraries are – or at least mine is! When I did my walk around the branch just a few minutes ago, I noted that every computer station was occupied, and people of all ages were sitting at desks using laptops, reading magazines or newspapers, or working on projects. The children’s area was abuzz with kids playing games, and parents reading picture books aloud to young children. It’s a true cross-section of our community, all enjoying a space together.
If you love libraries as much as I do, I encourage you to use them! Statistics play a huge role in funding decisions, so walk into your local library, borrow books and movies, and use the digital collection! Show the powers that be that you value libraries, and want to see them stick around for as long as possible. I’m sure your librarian friends and neighbours will thank you!
Buffy Silverman is our Poetry Friday host this week.