Why did I vote to expand the library in such uncertain financial times? During down economies citizens depend on libraries for more than just books. Benjamin Franklin created what has led to the modern library. His model was different from our public libraries and involved “literary societies” that would purchase shares in the venture and would allow guests to subscribe for a fixed term for a fee. These were called “social libraries.” This model was not sustainable because the only means of obtaining financial security was through donations and fees. This early model evolved into “circulating libraries” and “school district libraries,” but each model had flaws and could not survive on it’s own. However, when all three models were combined, there was success. The first “public” library opened in Boston in 1854. We have come a long way.
Today there are over 9000 libraries in America. The computer age is forcing massive change in modern libraries. Libraries across the U.S. are running out of space and funding for the new 21st century model. Towns are taking another look at the role of their libraries and are working to understand the needs of their citizens. A recent University of Washington study shows that 1/3 of Americans age 14 and older depend on library technology to find a job, do homework, apply for college, communicate with the government about benefits, learn about health care options and connect with their community. People from all walks of life use library computers to perform both routine and life-changing tasks. Millions of people across America see libraries as an essential tool to connect them to information, knowledge and opportunities. We have to recognize that the role of the public library has changed. We must support our local library as it creates opportunities for our citizens who do not have access at home or at work to online services, and must recognize the role our library plays in workforce development, education, health and wellness, and access to government services. Almost all Americans view their local library as an important education resource. Most of the citizens I have spoken to in the past year agreed that the library is a pillar of our community: a community center, a family destination and a cultural center. It is much more than a great place to check out some new bestsellers.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 at 4:01 pm and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
