The WSJ has a wonderful, and bittersweet, article on public libraries and their place in today’s society.
Wonderful, because the article reminds me of the special place that libraries have been to me and my family over the years. As a kid, I would check-out 20 books at a time- exploring as much as reading. There was so much to discover and the library was my portal.
Fortunately, I fell in love with a woman who also loves books. We are able to share booklists and favorite passages. Stacks of books cover each of our bed stands.
Now, we’re a family of five and it just isn’t practical for us to buy every book that we want to read- there just isn’t enough shelf space. Our library “holds” the books that we want until we get around to reading them.
Bittersweet, because (as the article points out) the role of the library has evolved and kids today are morelikely to use a library for its computers and story hours than for checking out books. Exploring is done through mouseclicks, not by running one’s eyes up and down a book lined shelf. Not better, not worse- only different.
The Westerville Public Library, which was a big reason why we chose our community, needs to pass a 0.8-mill replacement levy (on August 7th) in order to maintain the level of service that we adore and have come to expect. Without the levy, the library will lose 30% of its operating budget and would likely be forced to cut services.
If you live in Westerville, please support the levy.
