Why We Need Libraries
The library is one of my favorite places in the world. My mom took my brother and I to the library constantly when we were little - first for reading circles, and then to check out our own books. I got my first library card as a preschooler, signed in block letters and co-signed by my mom. We went to the library at least once a week to check out books. As I got older, I did research at the library, I did my homework at the library, I tutored at the library.
Libraries provide access. They provide access to free books (uh, yes please), internet, clubs, advice, and so much more. These buildings have turned into career centers, shelters from the cold, and community hotspots. They are pretty much the last places we have where you can go without the expectation of having to spend money.
This is a wonderful thing!
It means that people from all walks of life, from children to the elderly, can go to their local library and find a community. They have books of every genre, CDs and DVDs, and magazines. They are a safe space for us to learn and grow.
I have missed my library during lockdown. I have missed being able to browse the shelves, coming across a new book or author I’ve never read before. I miss the librarians who adapt to every challenge with grace and composure. I already have plans to head to my nearest library after lockdown ends and walk out with an armful of books.