Libraries Also Have a Role In Our Future

In a post last weekend, I wrote about Sec. of Education Arne Duncan's recent appearance on the Charlie Rose show and his vision of how schools might increase their roles in local communities to become the hub of activities, fortified by partnerships between educators and local non-profits. The thought is that schools already possess important resources that could be of use to the community once the school day is over; there's no reason for these buildings to see little activity the rest of the evening.

In thinking about that some more, I see libraries as a natural partner in this effort. I read a post this week from Suzanne Morse at Smart Communities, who sees libraries as an important civic institution, especially in these hard economic times.

...Libraries are, and continue to be, "third places" often times where people gather for meetings and other activities. But, they too, are feeling the crunch of demand from the economy. Libraries have become an outlet for jobseekers and others who just need a place to go ... Sure demand is driven in part by job-seekers who want to use computers to do resumes or unemployed parents who need something to do with their children, this return to libraries tells me that we need places in communities where people can go to do exactly this. I am not suggesting that libraries become "rec" centers for the community but I am suggesting that the demand while high now is really a reflection of the important civic role they play.

Libraries offer those less fortunate in the community that free access to meeting rooms, technology, printing services, an audio/video rental program, and simply, a place to gather (if quietly). Libraries are also an essential part of that ideal rooted in the American dream, that one can pull him/herself up by their bootstraps, given strong support from the community. The values of life-long learning and independent education are represented in a community library. Furthermore, libraries offer us the information we need in making educated decisions about political candidates and issues.

Unfortunately we're seeing funding for libraries cut all over the country, as lawmakers see it as easy way to get budgets back in check, because many libraries serve this role in an understated manner. In reality, though, libraries form a central role in our economic crisis. Money Magazine, in 2005, noted that nowhere else is someone going to enjoy free access to technology, important information using that technology, and "experts" to assist them in finding this information and sorting through it. Yet another example of an efficient use of resources.

As we're enjoying an increase in civic engagement among young people today, we should be looking at our future -- that seven or eight year old who is now making the choice (with his/her parent[s]) between watching TV every day after school and going to the library to get some books to read, some computer time, and to meet some kids their age. By cutting funding for our libraries, we're shifting our investment -- including our resources and our confidence -- elsewhere. We're making it that much harder for that child to live a self-driven, healthy, and productive life in the future. We all deserve better than that.