Reasons to Love U.S. Public Libraries and Librarians by da-AL

Los_Angeles_-_Lesesaal_1_International By Wolfgang Sauber (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons — Los Angeles Public Library: Readers Room for Foreign Language Literature, photo by Wolfgang Sauber, WikimediaCommons.org

Every single public libraries is paradise. Each building, modest and grand alike, is utopia. Why? Because thanks to every taxpayer chipping in, the entire country benefits.

In an age of greed and selfishness, the public library stands as an enduring monument to the values of cooperation and sharing. In an age where global corporations stride the earth, public libraries remains firmly rooted in local communities. In an age of widespread cynicism and distrust of government, the tax-supported public library has widespread, enthusiastic support.

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Escalator — Los Angeles Central Library By Mquach, via Wikimedia Commons

The County of Los Angeles Public Library network is my favorite. I tell everyone about it, and I have yet to meet someone who already knows how far its wonderfulness extends.

90% of Americans believe that the closing of a library is a tragedy for their entire community: The Pew Research Center

To begin with, no one already knows that any Californian can get a Los Angeles County Library card.

Public libraries are as American as it gets. (Prepare for a lot of exclamation points)

Biblioteca — Richard Henry Dana Branch Library, 3320 Pepper St., photo from WikipediaCommons.org

1. They’re free! To everyone! Regardless of age, gender, income, education, or race!

2. They respect our privacy. Librarians continually fight to keep it that way.

3. Since they started in the 1800s, they’ve promoted literacy for all. They began by defying the complaints of religious officials to stay open on Sundays. Then, in the 1930s, passionate librarians selflessly delivered books on horseback! These days, the Los Angeles library system gladly mails books – free shipping! – to Angelinos to whom getting to the library is a hardship.

4. The resources they offer to business owners and job seekers makes them essential to economic recovery.

Libraries epitomize cooperation!

Pio Pico Koreatown Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, By Downtowngal, via Wikimedia Commons.org

The Los Angeles County system shares the resources of 68 libraries. From the comfort of home, Angelinos may order materials from any location to be sent to any other L.A. library for free! See #3 above about having books mailed to you.

Public Library — Washington Irving Branch Library, Los Angeles County, By Downtowngal, via Wikimedia Commons.org

Libraries for Real Life reports that 68% of Americans have library cards. 75% use them.

They offer way more than mere books, CDs, and DVDs.

Los Angeles offers free virtual classes – tons of them – many that feature real teachers! Subjects run from vocational to fun. Kids can get help with homework, too!

They have downloadable audio books, e-books, music, and movies!

Vibiana Little Tokyo Branch, Los Angeles County Public Library, by Bobak Ha'Eri, via Wikimedia Commons — Vibiana Little Tokyo Branch, Los Angeles County Public Library, by Bobak Ha’Eri, via Wikimedia Commons.org

Libraries often host fun events. All ages can enjoy music, crafts, reading, and life skill workshops. Sometimes they offer fragrant cooking classes and hand out tasty snacks! They’re havens from the weather, loneliness, noise, and they offer meeting spaces for groups and tutors.

They have free wifi, plus lots of computers and printers. Photocopying is available for a nominal cost.

And there’s more! Another reason you have to check them out for yourself.

Almost every single L.A. library is free. Tragically, Cerritos Library charges a yearly fee. As far as I know, they’re the only one, which is one too many.