Sometimes I just have to sit and think about the blessings of our citizens. A free public library is not a new concept, not for our country, but it is for other countries. What we many times take for granted, others throughout the world hunger for.
Where else can you enter a building and without a credit check, borrow hundreds of dollars worth of materials with only the promise and your "word" that you will return them? Imagine going into a department store and asking to "borrow" clothing for two weeks? Or a television for two weeks? Or a refrigerator, or a computer, or furniture?
There are rental facilities where you can "pay" for the privilege of borrowing, but no other entity allows you to borrow for free.
The concept of a public library is centered on one word -- Trust. A public library's governing board and library staff "trusts" patrons to borrow materials responsibly and abide by the library's policies. It is as simple as that. We trust the patron. We may have never met you, but we trust you.
You have a clean slate with the library when you walk through the door. You may have maxed out your credit cards. Your home may be in foreclosure. It doesn't matter to us. You may borrow to your heart's content, just as long as you follow your library's loan policies.
The concept of a public library is an ideal that people who live in freedom embrace. It is an idea that every man, woman and child can access the information they need to make informed decisions -- free of charge. The public library provides the backbone to a free democracy. Freedom of choice, freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of ideas -- all freedoms we enjoy are wrapped up in the guise of a public library.
Countries struggling in a Communist regime or any suppressive government lack what defines a person as "free". Those countries lack the atmosphere of non-restrictive free living. Citizens do not have the basic freedom from censorship. Censorship is not only the process of telling people what they can or cannot read, see or hear; but it is the process of further imprisoning a population in the dark world of ignorance. Public libraries, books, reading, bring light into the darkness.
So, the next time you visit your public library, stop and absorb that what is a precious right and privilege. Appreciate the freedom you have to choose what you want to read, view or listen to. Be thankful for what we have, protect it, cherish it. In a blink of an eye, it could all be gone.
See you at the library!
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When I was a kid, about 12 or 13, I discovered that my favorite movie was based on a book. So I ran to my dad and said we have to go buy this book. My dad realizing that he was talking to his youngest of 6 children, all of whom he would have to put through collage, said well yes we could go buy it or we could go the the library? I really did not care where I got the book I just wanted to read it. So we piled into the car and off we went.
ReplyDeleteOn the way to the library my Dad starting talking about the public library as an institution in America. Yeah whatever dad if you hurry you can make this light, was my general response.
No seriously, he said as he apllied the brake. Just think about it, it does not matter what color you are, how rich or how poor: anyone can walk into any public library in this country and learn anything they want to. That is not true in every country.
It took me about 15 years but I figured out he was right, and that is why I am a librarian today. Dad just turned 90 and still goes to the library all the time. Great post Susan , thanks for getting me thinking again!