Meme courtesy of: https://blogs.ubc.ca/socialmediaandlibrarianship/2016/02/09/use-of-memes-in-libraries/
The library is more than a place that stores books which makes our future as library professionals bright. If the library was only storage for books, we’d be in big trouble as the internet has changed how people find and consume information. The Hyperlinked Library Model outlines practices for libraries to use which will best support the needs of their communities. Through ongoing conversations, transparency, participatory service, and the ability to easily change as needed, the Hyperlinked Library is for the people and by the people. The Hyperlinked Library Model demands that institutions reach out to their communities consistently. By engaging in conversations with their communities, libraries can transform into institutions that provide services that truly meet their needs (Stephens, 2016, p.10).
Recently, the city of Long Beach, here in California, proposed slashing hours and laying off staff at their library branches due to major budgetary issues. During a City Council meeting, one patron, Emily Quest, pleaded with city officials to keep those libraries open. You can watch Emily’s plea here but bring tissues with you because tears will be shed. In the clip, she speaks through tears about how the library has been a place where she is safe, she has the opportunity to socialize with others, and can attend her beloved crafting programs. This emotional public plea is a reminder of how important our libraries can be. There aren’t many ‘third places’ out there that are free for people to gather safely together. A ‘third place’ is a place that is not work or home but allows for social interactions with others creating a community (Leferink, 2018). The library provides that place free of cost to their community members.
We are intrinsically a caring institution – we are much more than a book storage facility. We are a safe place where community members can go to access information, be entertained, learn, socialize, and frankly, feel good about themselves. I went to a program at my local library because I wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine. It was a great program, and I was able to talk to other people during the program. I will always remember how excited one gentleman was to make a potholder using the sewing machine. I’m proudly staring at the one I made! After a failed attempt at trying to use a sewing machine on my own, I never thought I’d touch one again but here I was at the library with a wonderful staff member showing me that I could sew. How cool is it that we are able to offer opportunities like that? When examining the Hyperlinked Library Model, I am really drawn to making these human connections. In particular, transparency and the conversations that librarians need to be having both within the library and outside the library with their communities. In my work experience, planning and ideas have come from within the organization with only a few members of upper management having any input related to future plans. Community members are not even consulted for remodels, which is head scratching. There are a lot of personal projects headed by upper management and the community has not been afforded the opportunity to speak on what they need and what they want. I’m not sure the reason why that kind of outreach has not happened. This surely isn’t the only library system that handles things like this, but who would know what is needed better than the community? The Hyperlinked Library Model outright requires an ongoing and never-ending conversation between the library and the community. Michael Stephens (2016) puts it perfectly, “fresh voices and ideas from beyond library staff input might lead to some intriguing and popular initiatives,” (p. 101). How often is that happening in our libraries? How do we get out of the culture of secrecy and upper management pet projects? How can we start those conversations and really understand the needs of our communities?
Emily Quest’s public comment shows how impactful the library can be. In response to this City Council meeting, I’m happy to report that the Mayor of Long Beach has decided to back off of the proposed cuts. Emily’s experience and willingness to be vulnerable to stand-up for her library may have just saved both staff and hours of her favorite space. That devotion can only come from a heart that has been touched deeply by that library. The Hyperlinked Library model provides a wonderful roadmap to ensure the library remains a viable institution in our communities. How are libraries rising to this challenge? How are we touching the hearts of our communities?
References
Donegan, J. (2026, August 9). Long Beach libraries: Budget proposal to slash jobs. LAist. https://laist.com/brief/news/long-beach-plans-to-cut-library-hours-staff-even-as-workers-say-demand-is-soaringh libraries
Donegan, J. (2026, September 1). ‘The message was clear’: Mayor abandons plan to cut library hours following public outcry. Long Beach Post. https://lbpost.com/news/library-cuts-long-beach-hours-mayor-reverse-course/
Leferink, S. (2018, January 24). To keep people happy…keep some books. OCLC. https://blog.oclc.org/next/to-keep-people-happy-keep-some-books/
Stephens, M. (2016). The heart of librarianship: Attentive, positive, and purposeful change. ALA Editions.