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.
Amen! The current attacks on libraries and knowledge is disheartening to say the least. Thanks for speaking up here.
I adore our local library (and all libraries.) 🙂 My girls grew up going to our library, knowing it inside and out, supporting it through its renovation, and now my eldest daughter is the assistant youth services librarian there. That makes me so happy!
I am always amazed at how many young people hang out at our little local library after school, and how up-to-date their kids book collection is. Yes to supporting libraries!
I am always amazed at how many young people hang out at my little local library, and how up-to-date its kid book collection is. Yes to supporting libraries!
This is a great post to remind everyone of the importance of a local library. I posted this on Facebook. Thank you, Jane!
A wonderful manifesto on the manifold roles that libraries play in our communities. I’m sorry and glad to say that my fancy new local library also serves as warm/cool indoor resting place for many who have nowhere to go during daytime hours. They may access the collections, but more often they access the seating & heating. I’m very grateful to my library staff who take on responsibility that is really unrelated to their training. Thank you, Jane!
Your local library sounds so much like mine! It is such a place of quietly buzzing activity!! I love my library!
Yes! I agree. The people who are most critical of libraries don’t spend time in them. They are amazing spaces! I was at my public library when I overheard the librarian explaining to a new patron about what they offered. He was like, “It’s free?” It left me in tears how this man in his 40s was just experiencing this library joy. But what a cool thing to witness that moment.
Jane,
What a sweet post. I love libraries and have frequented them my entire life – no matter where I’ve lived. Many of my friends are librarians as well. I loved this sentence: “wish that the people who make decisions about libraries would spend more time actually exploring and experiencing them” because I agree with it completely. Libraries are wonderful places, especially if they are alive with people exploring and finding books to love. Thanks.
Jane, the library was my go-to place when I was a child and during my teaching days. I always liked to hold the book in my hand and read aloud to the children. As a districtwide administrator, I was in charge of summer reading and had a relationship with the local library. All of the books on our summer reading list were in a special area of the library for take out and discussions. The library is a very special place in my life. I even call my home office my library as it is stacked with precious books I acquired through the years.
Thanks for the beautiful reminder of what a treasure our libraries are and a place where you can feel at home. I have been amazed lately at all the things you can check out besides books! Love you poem too. It paints such a visual for me.
The library is a very special place, and I’m so glad so many wonderful people are ready to fight for theirs. ♥️♥️♥️