There’s so much to take in w/r/t the different communities in the hyperlinked libraries sphere. So many obstacles between library systems and the people in most need, so many more between library systems and the people they haven’t even been able to reach yet.
This module was particularly revealing in just how much libraries are basically filling in the gaps of our increasingly porous social safety net. Increasing wealth inequality, the continued rise of corporate influence over public policy, and now, with the second Trump administration, an outright concerted campaign to disassemble the vast funding and services apparatus of the Federal government upon which an already fragile social system relies.
It’s all very unfair and makes me not feel so sunny about the future. I even get angry and protective about the idea of libraries in the first place (or rather, what my particular idea of libraries looks like in the first place). Aren’t they supposed to be for books? Libraries are serving as schools, public health centers, internet service providers, shelters for the unhoused — isn’t this all distracting from people who want to go there to read a good book??
The thing is, this is probably the gut-reaction of a lot of well-meaning folks, folks who probably consider them progressives. Even if you do feel this way, are having this emotional reaction, if you take a breath, and stop for a second, none of it is much of a speculative leap.
If the library is there to provide free and open access to just books, information bearing entities so that people might satisfy a need, for personal enjoyment, for education, for everyday life — doesn’t it stand to reason that there’s a lot more that comes along with it?
Information isn’t just in physical books anymore after all, in fact, quite a bit of it is not, it’s online, so doesn’t it stand to reason that the library should provide access to the internet?
Doesn’t it stand to reason that if you don’t have internet at home, or don’t know how to use it, the library might be the place to provide it, or to help you learn how to use it?
Doesn’t it stand to reason that if you need information to learn, to educate yourself, the library could take that a step further and actually connect you with resources to improve a resume, or even earn a GED?
Doesn’t it stand to reason that if you need information pertaining to your health, which is so often gate kept by a lack of insurance, or an abundance of judgment from healthcare systems, and that the library might have access to that, they could help you access and understand it?
Doesn’t it stand to reason that if you are unhoused, and the shelters are full, or just don’t exist, and you have nowhere else to go, the library is actually the one of the only places indoors and climate controlled where everyone is allowed to just be?
The library is in many ways and many places, the last vestige of the true commons, and if government and society fails, or is limited in so all these ways and so many others, who else is going to provide? Everything we fail to provide to one another is gradually taken over by capital, which will charge us for the privilege of something that was once, or should be, free.
It should also not go unmentioned that public libraries are governmental entities, shouldn’t they then provide as much support as they can?
Above all the reasons I’ve talked out above there’s one fundamental explanation for these non-book services: as information has become more accessible on the internet, and the nature of people’s media consumption habits have shifted, it is true that less people are using the library; but the people who still do, who still need it, really, really, really need it. While the library is still for anyone and everyone, it’s those that are in the most need of our help that should be the priority in shaping the future of libraries and their services.
Hi Kevin,
I agree that libraries are one of the last places where people can just exist without the expectation of spending money and as such, it’s vital that we continue to support all members of the community. Rather than trying to provide everything our community members need, we provide what we can and ideally, act as a link to other resources, such as shelters, food banks, mental health organizations, etc.
Great post, Kevin @kgkgkg! I love your image of the “increasingly porous social safety net” – the foundation is crumbling and the call really is coming from inside the house these days. I think what libraries need to do, and are doing every day, is redefine what “access” really means. At various points throughout history, libraries have served as hospital, shelter, power grid, food pantry, and so much more! Access is not just participating in traditional library services, but using the library as space, resource, comfort, education, etc, all at the same time.
@kgkgkg I so appreciate how you presented this post starting with the library service about books… You took it to a very important place. These are things we should be considering as we plan for future buildings, future services, etc..