I’m not sure what it is exactly about libraries that I love, but I do love them. I’m certainly no scholar by any means. I barely finished an online bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies while I was still in the military in my forties (I just spelled forties as “fourties”…on purpose, thinking I was right…); however, I still actually like going into libraries, be they small or large. I guess it’s just the overall vibe they give off when you walk in. All that knowledge in one place. Now, always being able to find what I’m looking for without asking for assistance is another thing entirely. Obviously, I don’t frequent them as often as I’d like – probably a little intimidated at times, I guess.
The Fear of Losing Our Local Libraries
Or, some of them at least… Every now and then, I wonder if our public libraries here in the United States will ever start decreasing in number at an alarming rate due to places like Amazon.com (of course) and the internet in general. Or, what about even the lack of interest? But there are still some quite viable reasons to keep our libraries operational, some of which I had not considered.
The Digital First Glance vs. Physical Reality
Not every book, publication, or piece of print media is online. Our libraries offer another option for possibly finding that information that seems to be pretty good at hiding. For example, most public libraries still have collections of their local histories available on microfilm. A good place to look for some obscure, lesser-known fact that might not have ever made it onto any digital format other than that microfilm.
Another reason some information might not be readily available to the masses is that many online publications require you to pay for a subscription or at least provide an email address to read their content. Not everyone can have a subscription to every publication, so if the info (or the meaty portion of the info) isn’t available via a simple web search, some may never have access to it. Of course, current news might not always make it into a publication located at a physical public library either, but the option to investigate is still there (for now).
Also, some may not be able to afford an internet service provider at home. The local library is normally free (maybe an annual fee for some, which is usually small). While most people do have a smartphone these days, some don’t, or prefer not to, for a variety of reasons (less distraction, less bulk, a desire for a “burner” or disposable phone). This certainly makes viewing across cellular data a bit more difficult.
Music in Public Libraries
Libraries offer more than books to their visitors. If you’re lucky (depending on your local library), you can have access to old vinyl albums, audio cassettes, free streaming services, etc. My first thought about cassettes is that they wouldn’t be in the best condition, but I guess for a library to offer them for checking out, they would need to be in halfway decent condition.
Not to mention the fact that you could probably earn a doctorate in music theory for FREE if you had the tenacity to study everything some libraries have to offer with regard to the subject.
Libraries Provide Safe Spaces for Community Connection
A great, safe place to get out of your living space and be around other people. If you are feeling lonely, you can pick out a book in the library, sit at an open table or one with others already sitting at one end, and start reading – it’s an option. Sure, we can all just take a walk, go for a run, or go to a movie wherever we want, but the library is also an alternative.
They serve as non-commercial gathering spaces, sometimes providing activities such as local community ,event information and listings, book club meetings, language classes, toddler activities, etc.
Oftentimes, local libraries will offer absolutely free live educational events with times displayed on a calendar somewhere near the main checkout kiosks, or just ask. For example… When visiting my family back in my hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, we were all able to attend the Spartanburg County Public Library’s “Aurora Lights of Wonder” show at their new Planetarium Learning Center.
It was quite a unique experience to see the Northern Lights in a 4K, real-time virtual reality format that was apparently filmed under actual Arctic skies at one point. You are totally immersed in an experience filmed by an actual person in the past. I’ve been to Alaska, but never at a time when this was possible (or possible at other locations where this happens), so this was quite the show. And for free?….
If you live there, you have to go at least once. Sometimes, that’s the problem… People just don’t ever hear about such local events. Well, make it more of a habit to visit your local library… Having these types of events available to the local community helps to build a stronger, more resilient community overall. I guess one could argue that just about any local event could help strengthen a community’s positive spirit, and that would be true. I mean, even going to a movie gets you out and about amongst other community members… Well, the Library just provides another means, not to mention a larger variety of event types to choose from.
Free Incubators for Lifelong Learning
Besides being able to check out an informative or educational book or video documentary, your local library may offer other services and/or events. Some of these would include free access to resume builders, interview preparation, coding workshops, and other classes for skill acquisition or enhancement.
I have a good friend who is much more of an avid reader than I am and would always say to me, “Why didn’t you just check it out from the library?” whenever I would proudly say, “I just bought – whatever book – and I’ll finish before – we see the movie, I promise…”
On the one hand, he’s saving money by not buying the book outright, and on the other hand, he’s helping to support the local library, which is good on both counts and kind of makes me feel guilty sometimes; however, I can’t help but want to own a copy myself. To this day, I don’t really know why because I don’t read half of the books I buy. Maybe I SHOULD just “check it out from the library.” Maybe I’ll gain a sense of urgency knowing that I have to turn the book back in shortly.
Librarians Can Help Lead Us Towards a More Reliable Source
Most of us have received a dose of how to use a library from elementary, junior high, and high school; however, a librarian is usually available to assist when needed and serves as the primary curator of the material housed in that library. If the subject is of some reasonable importance to you, always ask the librarian if there is anything else available that you might have overlooked.
With the advent of AI-generated “fake news,” one must be extra diligent when deciding what to trust. The local library serves as another means of fact-checking. And the librarian can point you in the right direction. They can also assist with overall media literacy and increase your source verification skills.
Without our physical libraries and the tools at our disposal, we would all be at the mercy of what’s available online. As 2026 moves into 2027 and beyond, trusting the information we read, or even view in a video, is becoming increasingly more difficult. If the information is that important and it’s a topic you are not well-versed in, verify it with a visit to the library and perhaps a talk with the librarian.
Connects Future Generations to Their Roots
Going back to the microfilm example… Some family histories risk being lost forever unless there’s a microfilm record somewhere. That being said, I do realize there’s a lot of information on microfilm that has probably never been viewed by anyone; however, not having that microfilm available at all guarantees that some information would have been lost forever. So, currently, that obscure, little-known data is there… If anyone ever cares to look…
A Note About Some School Libraries
Although our public libraries seem to be hanging in there, apparently that’s not the case for some of our elementary, junior high, and high school libraries (do your own research if so desired). It seems there’s been a significant drop in the number of certified librarians over the past few years, making it difficult to maintain the proper functioning of some school libraries. Funding and politics (book censorship, etc.) also seem to play a role in some of these facilities shutting down or changing how they operate completely.
Conclusion
I don’t know about you, but I would hate to see the day when my local library is no longer in operation. I understand if the much smaller ones can’t remain due to the current economic environment (no matter which party is in office), but please keep the medium to larger ones open for the next century, at least…
The cultural advantages far outweigh the financial and physical costs of keeping them open. I don’t want to sound like I’m scared that many will start disappearing all at once at some point in the near future, because I don’t think that AT ALL… I just hope I never have to witness ANY closing if I (YOU) don’t have to…
Until Next Time,
Featured Image: A sample of some of my Grandparents’ old books. I did read the Sherlock Holmes series while statoined in South Korea back in the mid 90’s. View on Flikr.
