Biblioracle: Libraries a haven on earth

"Water is wet." There's as much news in that statement as there is in a recent Pew Internet survey that revealed that people value their public libraries.

How much do we love our libraries? When asked what impact closing the public library would have on their community, 90 percent said it would have at least a "minor" impact. Sixty-three percent believed it would have a "major impact."


So far, no "duh," except the survey goes deeper, asking how and why people value their libraries, what the libraries are good for, and this is where it gets interesting, at least to me.

Another of the questions Pew asked was how "important" particular library services are to people. At the top were the availability of books and media and librarian assistance, but just behind, and in fact scoring slightly higher in terms of being "very important" than even librarian assistance, was "having a quiet, safe place."

A quiet, safe place.

I like this. When most of the action seems to be online, a space that is everywhere and nowhere at the same time, it's nice to be reminded that there are still communal spaces for people to gather, where resources can be shared and views exchanged.

At least in concept, libraries remain pillars of democracy with bipartisan support.

Ninety-five percent of survey respondents agreed that the "materials and resources available at public libraries play an important role in helping everyone succeed."

Ninety-four percent say that public libraries "improve the quality of life in a community."

They say these things even though only 48 percent of Americans have visited either a library or a bookmobile in the last 12 months.

Given this fact, that most people don't make actual use of these quiet, safe places, it's sort of a wonder that the privatization, free-market mania that seems to grip so much of the discourse surrounding public services like schools or, in the case of Chicago, parking, hasn't splashed over into our thinking about libraries.

God forbid we don't measure a public good by metrics like "efficiency." It doesn't matter if we use them. Most people think they should exist, no matter what.

In fact, the Pew survey suggests that people want libraries strengthened, not just preserved.

Except that libraries have been under threat for years. There are existential threats such as the rise of e-books (though libraries are quickly adapting and finding ways to provide access to digital materials).

The bigger threat, however, is lack of funding. In its annual report, the American Library Association details the years of recession-driven budgetary cuts, recently made worse by the sequester. School libraries were hardest hit, seeing an actual year-to-year decline in the number of librarians.

The quiet, safe place is important, but without the professionals who work inside it, we have an empty building. Libraries are the front line of reliable information for millions, not just finding the right book, but providing computer expertise for someone doing a resume, or even hosting classes in financial literacy and planning. Libraries are more organism than warehouse.

In a way, our warm feelings for libraries may work against their survival. Everyone loves libraries, so surely they aren't going to disappear.

Except sometimes we fail to notice the approaching tipping point. The thing that seemed secure is suddenly gone when tax-revenue push comes to budgetary shove.

I think there are a lot of public spaces worth chipping in to strengthen and preserve, but at the very least, let's not lose our libraries.

We already agree on that.


The Biblioracle offers his recommendations

1. “The Book of Joe” by Jonathan Tropper

2. “A Storm of Swords” by George R.R. Martin

3. “Dallas 1963” by Bill Minutaglio and Steven L. Davis

4. “Quiet Hero” by Rita Cosby

5. “Brimsby's Hats” by Andrew Prahin

Dave C., Chicago

Pretty eclectic mix here. Nonfiction, fantasy, domestic comedy. This is inspired mostly by the Tropper: a recommendation for Jonathan Evison’s emotionally satisfying dramedy, “The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving.”

1. “The Aleppo Codex” by Matti Friedman

2. “The Little Friend” by Donna Tartt

3. “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt

4. “Amazing Grace” by Eric Metaxas

5. “Carthage” by Joyce Carol Oates.

Susan P., Chicago

Donna Tartt’s having a year. It seems like just about everyone has read “The Goldfinch” and for good reason. For Susan, I’m going to go with another novel of art, a classic that’s starting to fade a bit as we forget about the genius of Canadian Robertson Davies here in America: “The Rebel Angels.”

1. “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt

2. “Whistling Season” by Ivan Doig


4. “The Doctor's Wife” by Luis Jaramillo

5. “The Queen's Gambit” by Elizabeth Fremantle

Jeanne S., Frankfort

Ivan Doig is a writer I’ve never read, but know I should. Too many books, too little time. I’m feeling some Geraldine Brooks for Jeanne. Let’s go with “March.”

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