SAXTON B. LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
319 Route 87 Columbia, CT 06237
Phone: 860 228 0350 Fax: 860 228 1569 E-mail: staff@columbiactlibrary.org

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Keeping you up-to-date on what's happening at your library. We invite you to join in the conversation!
MARCH 28, 2010
Why are Libraries Essential?
 While scrolling through the many blogs I read each week, this question put forth by Kathy Dempsey caught my eye...Why are Libraries Essential? Kathy is a strong believer that there are many reasons why, so much so that she has written a book and maintains a section of her blog to record the answer.

This past week Kathy attended the Public Library Association Conference where she heard an interview with PLA President Sari Feldman with KATU-2 Television.. Kathy believes Sari could have given a better answer to the the question of why we need libraries in this computer age. In our town I recently heard a similar statement. "We don't need libraries anymore. You can find everything on the Internet".

After my family, libraries are as important to me as the very air I breathe. I have always been a library user or so it seems. I cannot imagine my world without one nearby. Still, this does not really answer either question posed in the opening paragraphs of this blog.

A couple of my quick thoughts. The Internet is not free. Everyone does not have access to the Internet. Not everything you find on the Internet is true. Libraries are not entirely free either but considering the value, the cost is affordable. Our library is open fifty-one hours a week to anyone who wants to walk through our doors. We do not discriminate and loan our materials to all who visit us. Libraries have always provided more than books. Today we loan books, dvd's, audio books, music, magazines, newspapers and provide programming and social activities for our whole community. We provide reference materials and research help for students and adults alike. We provide Internet access to all and help people find reputable resources to fit their needs and answer their questions. I feel our library is a basic, vital service to our community.

As a child libraries were essential to me. Without a library I would have had a hard time graduating from school. My library provided books that my family could not afford. The books sparked my imagination and took me to places I could never have gone. Library time was special because it was the place that dad took me when we couldn't afford to go anywhere else. It was our entertainment as well as the place to learn. It was the place I met my friends after school. It was a safe place and I felt its warmth. Libraries were and are my encyclopedia; opening the door opens the world.

I hope you will think about what makes libraries important to you. Post your thoughts here and share them with Kathy through her site.

Add a comment  (0 comments) posted by CarolK

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