nypl:
Public libraries are not going anywhere.
Let me tell you something about public libraries and how *vital* they are to a community…
First off, public libraries offer a safe space for children after school, or on school holidays or in the summer when parents work all day and can’t afford full-time caregivers.
Libraries offer community education programs, from learning a second language, to discussions on local history, to cooking and gardening demonstrations, etc, a majority of which are FREE of charge! There’s also on-site tutoring for children and adults in a variety of fields.
Libraries are also a great place to receive important information in regards to income taxes and voter registration. Many libraries have copies of the basic tax forms you need, as well as “How-To” booklets you can take with you. Libraries can provide you information about new state and local government laws and with bi-partisan information on how they will effect the community.
Libraries offer basic forms of technology that many people may not have at home. Need to fax some information before a job interview? How many places still have fax machines–OH! Libraries, that’s who! Same goes for scanning documents. Sometimes this is free, and if not, it’s dimes and quarters. What if your printer breaks, or your computer has a virus and you can’t use it to check email or print something that you need for a job or school? LIBRARIES TO THE RESCUE!
Have an older adult who needs some basic “how-to” knowledge when it comes to tech? Libraries offer classes from keyboarding to how-to-use-a-smartphone.
And speaking of older adults, it’s not just children that libraries help. Seniors need social activities every bit as kids, and libraries provide that, from community arts and craft classes, to the ever popular book club.
And if you’re still not convinced, let me tell you one last story…
A few summers ago we had a power outage, one that affected our street for an entire week! And it was extremely hot in the middle of July. We were miserable and weren’t sure what to do during the day.
But we found solace at our public library. We brought our phone chargers and were able to keep our phones juiced up so we could continue talking with the power company. We also found peace from the heat inside the air-conditioned walls of the library, and were able to keep in touch with our various work places through the computer lab.
When a disaster strikes an area, be it a power outage or something far worse, public libraries are a safe haven where people can gather. Time and again, this has been proven. Public libraries are VITAL! But Republicans want to shut them down, using the age-old “they eat up the community through taxes, get rid of all tax-run institutions!” blah, blah, blah.
Amazon and other companies would love to take the place of library, charging you every time you enter it’s doorway, and charging you every time you need to use anything they offer, from a book to a piece of tech, etc.
Don’t be fooled, they want libraries to suffer, because the worst thing in the world is an informed citizen who can call bullshit on a capitalist thug. SUPPORT PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND BOYCOTT THOSE WHO STAND AGAINST THEM!
Musings of a Yankee Countess 