Wrapping it up

When we began this journey, I was just looking to find out about public libraries and their goal of providing free access to information. The investigation was partly because I wanted to know more about libraries’ role in society and democracy, but it was also because I wanted to see up close what libraries were offering to their communities. I grew up with the concept of a library being a big building filled with books where you could go to borrow books, look up information, and get help from the librarian in finding what you needed. Of course, I know that now there are computers for use at the library and you can access a lot of information online from libraries’ Web sites, but had no idea what public libraries had to offer these days.

Through my research, I found that the “information” a library can provide access to is far broader than I imagined. I also learned a little about the history of public libraries and how they fit into the fabric of our country. I understand more now about what local public libraries have to offer their patrons. Beyond the standard books, movies, music, and periodicals, libraries have a wealth of information at their fingertips that can be accessed from our homes or at the library; and there are trained librarians available to make searching for what we need easier. But it’s more than that, libraries offer events, programs, and resources that can help people dealing with tough times. Library staff members have worked to bring patrons a variety of things that can help make their lives better and more enjoyable.

Public libraries reach out to their communities and offer services to all patrons without regard to who they are, what their beliefs are or how much money they make. They help those who can’t afford a computer gain access to one and help them learn to use it. Public libraries help people whose native language isn’t English learn to speak it so they can function in their community a little easier. They encourage those who aren’t English speakers to become not only readers, but to ignite that passion for reading in their children.

Another way that some public libraries help democracy function is to provide free access to information about our government and its operations through the Federal Depository Library Program. To me, that’s a pretty important role to play.

If you thought that a public library was just a big building filled with books and other materials before you read this blog, I hope you’ve learned along with me just how much more than that it is. I also hope that you’ll be eager to find some of these free opportunities at your own public library and take advantage of them. In this day and age, who can say “no thanks” to deals like these?

Dealing with economic woes

In the recent economic struggles and widespread job losses, many libraries are making job hunting help available on site as well as online. Many libraries are holding seminars with resume help and job-hunting skill sessions. The library in York, Pennsylvania, decided to offer more than help, they set up a day where people (even those who did not have a library card) could come to the library, get help putting together a resume, then print out five free copies. Now free copies might not seem like much, but to unemployed job seekers, it’s a help. The library director said the event was set up not only to help job seekers, but also to draw attention to other free services the library offers. They hope to show people who aren’t already patrons what the library has to offer for free.

In an article about helping library users who are looking for employment and help with tighter budgets, Paul LeClerc, the president of the New York Public Library, said: “We've been in the job-search business for decades. This is a continuation.” (Brustein)

To help public libraries offer assistance to their communities in tough times, the ALA has made available resources nationwide. As part of a grant program, they have made available information from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority called “Job Dislocation: Making Smart Financial Choices after a Job Loss.” It’s a brochure aimed at helping people maintain their financial stability while they are unemployed. The ALA provides the brochures to public libraries to give away.

The public library is the place to turn for free entertainment, too. With free DVDs to borrow (and sometimes free movie nights at the library), periodicals to read, presentations to attend (including some libraries that offer opera and symphony previews), book discussions, teen game nights, story times, arts & crafts sessions, podcasts, computer classes, and more, libraries have much to offer. One library in California includes on its Web site a “Library Use Calculator” that was created by Michigan State Library and adopted by the Maine State Library. The tool can help patrons see how much money they are saving by using library resources rather than renting movies or buying books. (“Mission Viejo Library Offers New Calculator”)

Christina Hennessy, in her article “Making Do: Library Use On the Rise As Residents Trim Spending,” gave this example of ways one library is helping: “At Greenwich Library's Cos Cob branch, several programs are planned to help families save money, learn how to best use coupons and build shopping lists, and find other ways to cut costs on household spending, according to Kate Petrov, the library's spokeswoman.” There seems to be no end to the ways in which public libraries are reaching out to help people in their communities.

Libraries' role in society

So public libraries play an important role in society by providing free access to information, but what sorts of free information do they provide access to? From the very beginning, libraries have been filled with books and other printed materials, but recently the information available from libraries has gone through a transformation. With the advent of computers, information is more accessible than ever. Libraries have changed the kinds of information they provide access to and how they provide access to it.

Today, libraries provide computers to patrons, not only for word processing use, but as a means to access the OPAC (online public access catalog), the Internet, games, and other resources. Most libraries subscribe to various searchable databases and online reference tools, as well as digital archives and subscriptions. For many, just having a library card allows patrons to have access to all that on their home computers or from the library’s public-use computers. Libraries see it as part of their role as providers of information to offer the means to access these resources regardless of who a patron is. One of the tenets of the modern ALA’s Bill of Rights is: “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” (ALA Web site, “Library Bill of Rights”) That assures everyone has access to the digital age; even if they can't afford a computer, they can go to the library and use one. Besides providing computers to use, many libraries today offer free wireless Internet access in their buildings, so people can bring their laptops – or borrow one in some cases – and use them in the library. One library in Waterford, Michigan, found its WiFi access so popular that it put a big antenna up in 2008 and began broadcasting the free signal 24 hours a day. (Wisely)

Libraries across the country have begun offering all sorts of services to their communities – most of them free. They offer free classes in computer use and provide access to online homework help for students. Some provide audio books and other formats of newspapers and information to blind and visually impaired patrons. In the article “Library Sends Books to Handicapped,” Ana Maria Trujillo states that: “According to a fact sheet released by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, in order to qualify for free services you must be a resident of the United States and unable to read standard print because of temporary or permanent visionary impairments. People with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, which hinders their ability to read easily, also qualify for the services.” (Trujillo) Offering these services to dyslexic people is a fantastic step and allows them to have easy access to all sorts of information.

Other libraries provide downloadable eBooks and audio books to all their patrons. With all of this digital content, libraries have become much more than a building full of books. There is a lot of information that patrons can access from home. While libraries provide access to online reference materials and databases, users don’t need to know how to access these types of information, the librarians will help them – by phone, e-mail, online chat or in person. Library staff members are trained to help information seekers find what they need.