Library Love

Today I'm grumpy because some people still don't realize the value libraries hold in their communities!

I'm talking of course about the article in Forbes (no longer available, last I checked) that suggested replacing libraries with Amazon stores to save taxpayers money.  The backlash online was quick and pointed and my grumpiness dissipated to see so many people - librarians and otherwise - defending libraries.  As a librarian I of course have a vested interest in keeping libraries open (you know, to keep my job and all that fun stuff), but I became a librarian because I believe in the importance of what we do.  There have many countless points made, and if you search twitter alone just in the last few days you'll find argument after argument defending the benefit of libraries.

So I won't rehash any of that.  I don't go into the many services we offer besides books - like free wi-fi and public computers, meeting rooms, and programming for all ages - but I will talk about a lot of what I did just yesterday.

• Found a book on psychology for a patron going back to school
• Helped a patron fill out an online W4 for their new job
• Looked up keto diet cookbooks
• Researched an old photograph with just a last name on the back and found the photographer most likely to have taken it in 1939
• Worked on my curriculum for a How to Use MS Word class I'll be teaching that we'll offer free to patrons
• Showed a patron how to use Novelist to find other books they might like
• Helped a patron print out important insurance documents
• Assisted with job applications
• Helped print out pay stubs (at least four different patrons)
• Reshelved books and straightened shelves to help patrons find materials
• Showed someone where are periodicals are
• Worked on my weeding list to help keep our collection up to date and relevant to the community's needs

So yes, it is true that libraries cost taxpayers money.  But we offer services to the community free of charge because of that.  We're a place kids can go during the summer.   Librarians are trained to help with research - and a lot of us like doing it, and we like helping!  And as one of those taxpayers, I am happy and proud that I help keep the library going.