Dear Reader

Random musings on reading and books from a librarian in training.


Thursday, March 20, 2008

An Ode to Libraries

According to today’s Boston Globe, two communities in Mass are considering privatizing their libraries (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/03/20/2_towns_weigh_privatizing_libraries/).

As a reporter, I witnessed many communities struggle with library funding. While the public understands the need to pay for police officers, firefighters, trash pickup or plowing, it’s a little harder sometimes to convince taxpayers to swallow tax increases for the library.

I think the importance of a library can never be underestimated. A library provides a service to young and old, married and single, rich or poor. When I was in high school, I spent hours in my library. My favorite study place in college was the library, which had stained glass windows and tiny tables stuffed in the narrow nooks in the stacks.

At my library, there’s a book club, baby story time, play groups, family movie night, ESL lessons and more. I have access to hundreds of books, movies and cds. If they don’t have what I want, there’s a good chance I can have it sent in from another library from their network.

Libraries are a special place.

1 comment:

Kate said...

Anne, I just got confused by logging in, but what I wanted to say is that I love your blog. And I'm a fan of libraries, too. :-)

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