A Love Letter to Libraries

By Margaret Lucke

“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.”
Jorge Luis Borges, author

A public library is an amazing place. You can choose a book or a DVD and take it home–for free. If you need a computer, you can use one there–for free. You can attend a concert, or hear an author speak, or take a child to listen to stories–all for free.

A library offers a wealth of education and entertainment at no charge. As it happens, though, it costs a lot of money to do that.

“A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.”
Henry Ward Beecher, social reformer

I’m on the board of my local Friends of the Library, which recently celebrated a milestone—our 25th anniversary. The library staff and another library support group honored the occasion by throwing us a wonderful party.

For nearly four decades, my town had no public library. It was the second largest city in California without one. When the state’s voters approved a bond for library funding in the late 1990s, local leaders decide to apply for some of that money. Some civic-minded folks got together and set up the Friends group to demonstrate to potential funders that building a library here had strong community support.

There was a huge celebration when our beautiful new library opened in 2006. Our Friends group was proud to present to a check for $25,000, raised by sales of used books donated by the community, for the Opening Day Collection.

The enthusiasm continues. The library gets close to 25,000 visitors every quarter. Last year more than 10,400 people attended nearly 326 free programs, and patrons checked out 86,400 books and other materials. In many ways the library has brought the community together and become its heart.

Some people would have you think that in this era of Internet access and high-tech gadgets, public libraries are obsolete. Not so. They are well used though, sadly, not always well funded. The Friends are doing our bit help. To date, we’ve raised $350,000 to expand our library’s collections and support its programs.

“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”
Andrew Carnegie, industrialist and philanthropist

Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919), one of the richest men in the world in his time, was a big believer in libraries. At age 12 he emigrated with his family from Scotland to Allegheny, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. Though the move ended his formal schooling, he was much impressed by a local businessman who, every Saturday, opened his personal library so workers could borrow books, thus allowing Carnegie to continue his education.

Carnegie vowed if ever he had any surplus wealth he would use it in lending books to others. Years later, he made good on that promise by giving some $56 million (a lot of money in those days) to build 2,509 public libraries worldwide, including 1,679 in the United States. He shaped the concept of public libraries in this country. If you have one in your community, you have Carnegie to thank.

“The best thing about the library is that it is available not only to me, but to everyone. It does not discriminate.”
David Horowitz, political writer

Libraries are among the most democratic of our institutions. The access they provide to computers, books, films, and music is invaluable, not only to individuals but to our society. Libraries bring people together. They enlighten and inspire. They open the doors to the world.

Some years ago I was hired by two Bay Area library systems to write the documents that would present their new strategic plans to their communities. Both of the planning task forces grappled with how to define the audiences they served. One opted to list the possibilities: “The Library welcomes all members of the community regardless of culture, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, or socioeconomic status.” The other wrestled with the question for a while until one member said: “Doesn’t ‘everyone’ mean everyone?” So their statement simply says: “The library systems … promote[s] learning and enjoyment for everyone.”

Everyone is welcome. How many of our institutions can make this claim?

“Libraries are places where the imagination begins.”
Heather Barbieri, author

Have you been to your local library lately? I urge you to pay a visit and see all that it has to offer. While you’re there, check out some books, because funding is often based in part on circulation numbers. Join your Friends group. Make a donation. Vote for tax or bond measures that will secure its funding. Your library deserves your support.

“Libraries are a public good and a civic responsibility. They are about our future as much as they are our past.”
Andrew Lopez, university librarian