April 10-16 is National Library Week. Let’s celebrate why libraries are such a vital community resource!
Walter Cronkite once said “Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” Today’s libraries still lend books and other items, and they also provide a wide range of services to communities. The public library mission remains the same as always— providing free access to information to all people. The way people access information has changed, but they still need the information to succeed, and libraries are providing that.
Libraries have librarians, highly trained and educated information professionals, who are able to guide patrons to the best answers to their questions. We use Google too, for quick searches, but if you want a private, unbiased, accurate information search on topics like health, retirement, genealogy, business and more, there is no better way to get the best results than with a librarian’s guidance to help you use our collection of online resources.
Libraries provide a wide range of story times and activities developed by librarians that help lay the groundwork for a lifetime of literacy. Educators and even pediatricians are emphasizing the importance of early literacy for developing critical thinking and success in school.
Libraries provide a supportive place for those with little or no technology skills to discover the benefits of being able to navigate the internet or learn basic online skills. Those with some advanced knowledge still need guidance to effectively use more complex programs. Librarians have the training to help everyone improve their digital literacy.
Libraries have a wide range of unique resources to assist anyone looking for employment, changing their career or starting a business such as resume coaching and business plan support. There are a wide range of educational opportunities available for those hoping to improve their knowledge and skills.
Libraries have book clubs and readers’ advisory specialists for those who love reading. And rumors of the “death” of print materials are just inaccurate. According to Nielsen, last year’s sales of print books were up almost 3%.
Libraries offer an abundance of programs on topics including cultural enrichment, personal finance, history, travel, health and much more.
As Andrew Carnegie said many years ago: “A library outranks any other thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”