Not sure who uses libraries anymore (they’re kind of like typewriters), ...
People who think this really need to get out into the REAL world and see what’s going on. When I retired earlier than planned from a university dairy teaching and research farm to help with my mother’s care one of my various part time jobs was at a rural branch of a tri-county library system. Before that I was always, and still am, an ardent library user and an active volunteer with our local Friends of the Library group.
I’ve not time this morning to write a “research paper” but libraries are busier than ever. When some “statistics” show a decline in the number of libraries that’s because public libraries are often part of a larger regional system rather than each and every small town (I’m thinking of rural towns under 1,000, often with only 200 -300 people, surrounded by large farms or range lands) operating their own independent library they have affiliated with an area wide system (often organized by county) to achieve an economy of scale. I worked for Mid-Columbia Libraries in eastern WA which has 12 branches in all or part of three counties, but is sometimes counted as just “one library”.
What do libraries provide?
Internet. Not everyone has access to home internet, either because of cost, or the infrastructure doesn’t exist in remote areas. Before it is mentioned, satellite internet is expensive and the quality often isn’t good, especially during freezing fog. I live on a farm with DSL internet on ageing rural phone lines (cellular reception is worse). If I want to do much online other than check e-mail I head to the library.
Information and entertainment from books, periodicals, local newspapers, DVD’s, audio books. These resources can be expensive to purchase but can be checked out for free with a library card. Digital you say? NOT EVERYTHING IS AVAILABLE IN ONLINE DIGITAL FORMAT AND NOT EVERYONE HAS GOOD INTERNET (or internet at all)!
Interlibrary loan. If one is looking for some esoteric tome (liturgical history for example) which a typical library may not have, it can often be located at and checked out from a larger or university library system through one’s local library (ours has a $5.00 postage fee for this, others may not charge at all).
Over the air services. Audio books, movies, digital books and periodicals can be checked out virtually (the library pays for access to these resources) if one has an adequate mobile data signal. Here in WA, at least for audio books, one typically has access to the statewide collection because of cooperative agreements.
Some libraries still have bookmobiles. I grew up on a farm and as a kid the bookmobile stopping every week during the summer was a highlight (and more fun than weeding sugar beets). Our library replaced the bookmobile with a no cost mail delivery system as it is more cost effective, and serves those who have trouble getting to the library.
Home schoolers. When I worked at a rural branch most of my younger patrons were home schoolers (other kids were probable using their school libraries or the larger branches in town after school). They would come to order books for reports and supplemental material for their lessons.
Programs. Libraries (almost all I can think of actually) have reading programs. These will have a theme (often historical, such as Lewis and Clark), kids read a certain number of books, and get prizes. Traditionally these were during the summer, but now we have a winter program to encourage kids to read during the Christmas break.
I need to go, working a big funeral Mass today, but there is so much more that could be said. People really need to check out what their public library offers. The people are the owners of these after all.
Topic: St. Mary’s, KS Wins Library Battle (Read 6558 times)