Library appreciation

From the Library of Alexandria, considered to have been one of the greatest repositories of knowledge and information in the ancient world, to the Library of Congress and the millions of pieces in its collection from texts and manuscripts to film, music recordings and other significant pieces, to our own local libraries, these facilities have long been a great resource to the communities and the people they serve,

February is a month dedicated to the celebration of libraries and is set aside as National Library Lovers Month.

As in the Library of Alexandria, libraries today are still repositories, places to find information. Whether it comes in the form of books, new or old, archived newspapers and in some cases microfiche or more modernized computer data bases or records that have otherwise been archived digitally, or even local historical records, libraries are an incredible resource for information.

Almost any subject one might want to explore can be at their fingertips thanks to the work that takes place at our libraries.

Whether it is getting lost in a great adventure or mystery story, learning about dinosaurs or the pyramids of Egypt, exploring texts on European history or the arts, it is likely you will find something you will enjoy and something that will help further your knowledge in any number of areas at your local library.

While lending and overseeing book collections is still very much at the heart of what libraries do, the reality is that these are facilities that are always adapting and looking ahead to meet the needs of the people they serve.

Today’s library still has stacks of books, but it is also a place where a great deal more has been happening in recent years.

Prior to COVID-19 changing so much, libraries were well on their way to becoming community hubs in new ways while still focusing on the initial mission of libraries, making books and information readily available.

Whether it was guest speakers, musical performances or hosting art exhibits, libraries have constantly worked to evolve to meet the needs of the communities and people they serve.

There are also story times and reading hours and other activities geared toward children, not only as entertainment, but as a means of getting them engaged with the written word and instilling an interest in learning and reading from an early age.

And now many libraries are focusing on ramping many of these efforts back up. Libraries have also become a resource for internet access for some, particularly in areas where internet providers have been less diligent in creating infrastructure to reach more people.

And libraries have served as meeting places for public forums, social events and fundraisers.

Yes, libraries serve many purposes and can be and mean different things to different people and that is the wonderful part about them, they are incredibly diverse places and places we all can find some appreciation for.

If you haven’t been there is a while, consider visiting your local library.

If possible consider showing support as a volunteer or donating books or supporting a library’s fundraising efforts like book sales in the future and remind those who work there that they are providing an incredibly valuable resource.