Keep the Libraries Alive!
You can go to a gym to get a physical workout. But for a mental workout, go to a library! Since today is International Literacy Day, I thought this would be a great time to talk about the amazing benefits of libraries. In this age of widespread internet use, libraries are sometimes overlooked. But they are still vital to the wellbeing of people and communities.
Why libraries are important
Libraries contain a treasure trove of information and creativity to strengthen your mind. They have books, ebooks, audiobooks, computers, CDs, DVDs, games, and more. Because of the rich variety of materials available, libraries are excellent places to learn new things and be delighted and entertained. You can use libraries in a practical way, like for academic studying, learning new career skills, and self-help strategies. But you can also use libraries to relieve your stress and enjoy yourself by escaping into a good story.
One of the best things about libraries is their accessibility. Visiting a library means you can access an amazing amount of material without worrying about how much you have to pay. This truly is a blessing. It means you don’t have to limit the knowledge you consume -- you can access what you need. This is especially helpful for people with low incomes and limited resources. They are often left behind in society, but libraries give them the tools they need to succeed.
Libraries and communities
Another reason libraries are so beneficial is that they are a dependable safe space for communities. Children can go to libraries to read and participate in fun educational activities. Adults can visit libraries to meet and collaborate with one another to study, work on projects, and take classes. A library is a special gathering place that gives you access to a diverse mix of people, cultures, and ideas.
The American Library Association points out another fact about why libraries are so crucial: they help people with essential services. “The rollout of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has many public libraries struggling to keep up with the demand for public computer terminals and with requests for help in using the act’s website. Libraries also play a key role in the wake of natural disasters; after Hurricane Sandy, for example, people left homeless by the storm were filling libraries in New York and New Jersey, using library computers to complete federal forms and communicating with loved ones using the library’s internet connections.”
The illiteracy crisis
When you consider literacy statistics, you see the importance of libraries even more clearly. According to a 2019 study from the National Center for Education Statistics, “Four in five U.S. adults (79 percent) have English literacy skills sufficient to complete tasks that require comparing and contrasting information, paraphrasing, or making low-level inferences.” The other 21 percent have difficulty completing these kinds of tasks, which means they are considered as having low English literacy skills. That’s about 43 million adults in America.
Also, the illiteracy problem around the world is enormous, with 773 million people (adults and children) lacking basic literacy skills, according to the United Nations. When people are unable to read well, they have serious disadvantages in life. There’s no question about it -- the world needs libraries.
So when you think about libraries, you can consider their importance in three ways: their impact on you, their impact on your local community, and their impact on the world. Imagine what the world would be like if libraries didn’t exist. It’s not fun to think about! Visit your local library and support library and literacy programs around the world. Let’s keep libraries alive so that everyone can thrive.
