Why Libraries are Important
Monday, May 30th, 2005Last week, someone asked me why I thought libraries are important. My answer normally runs along the lines of a successful democracy depending on an informed public, and public libraries being instrumental in keeping the public informed.
After seven years in the filed, that platitude only raises more questions. What about libraries that function in a setting other than a democratic one? Are they not valuable? Are libraries doing a good job of keeping people informed?
One of the functions of a research library is to collect for future generations. Who knows (or cares in a way) what kind of society or government our future readers will live in? We will still collect for the unborn. That seems important.
In my first stab at finding a better answer the question about the importance of libraries, I came upon Library Staff are Unsung Heroes by Greg Hill.
Democratic institutions depend on citizens being able to inform themselves on the issues. Societies that renew themselves through life-long learning are much healthier. There’s a thousand other reasons why libraries are important.I am counting.