Ode to Libraries

For Mother's Day, one of my offspring gave me a copy of a recently published book The Public Library a Photographic Essay by Robert Dawson.  I recommend that you pick it up and browse through it.  Dawson and his son travelled throughout the United States taking photos of representative public libraries.  The photos are stunning - from the neoclassical buildings in the Northeast to the ultramodern libraries on the west coast.  More impressive are the photos of the decrepit and abandoned libraries in inner cites and the stark realities of the corrugated buildings on desolate Indian reservations.  In addition to photos, there are essays about libraries in some cases by noted authors such as Amy Tan and Barbara Kingsolver.  There are stories about libraries.  My favorite was the inspiring story of The Northeast Nevada Regional Bookmobile which brings books to some of the most remote areas of the United States.  I nearly reverted to the 1960's over the story of the proposed closing of the Salinas Library due to budget cutbacks.  John Steinbeck was truly spinning in his grave.


I have been a librarian for a very long time and I have seen many changes in technology.  But I have always maintained that libraries are there for the "have nots" as well as the "haves."  It has been a privilege to meet and serve the folks who have come to me at the reference desk.  Yes, I have called the police when  the need arose.  I have banned more than one person for inappropriate and dangerous behavior. But libraries are there to serve those who do not have a computer or Internet access or books or formal education or the ability to read English. We libraries look everyone in the eye equally. We have been at the forefront of defending the Freedom to Read.  The First Amendment is in very good hands in American public libraries.


Public libraries today are facing their greatest challenge in funding.  Many municipalities are faced with  the unpleasant choice between libraries and public safety.  The local library should not be viewed as a nice extravagance.  Libraries change lives and libraries save lives.  So if it is within your means, send a donation, volunteer with the Friends, serve on the Board or buy used books at your local book sales. It will make a difference in somebody's life.