Libraries Are For Everyone via Public Libraries

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Libraries Are For Everyone

Public Libraries Online: 5.10.2018 by Andrew Hart

Libraries have and always will be a fundamental part of American life. James Madison, America’s fourth president, said it best: “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” Boiled down, Madison is saying if America is to be run by The People, then The People must have access to material that will allow them to make wise, thoughtful, and balanced decisions. The library is a cornerstone and sustainer of democracy.

The institution of the library is an embodiment of Madison’s statement. It provides free access to books and other forms of information that citizens can use to better themselves, and thereby, society. The public can use the knowledge found within a library to guide decisions made during self-government. Instead of a king making decisions, Madison saw a wise, educated public guiding America.

It has been said that the library is the poor man’s university. For a library, just like a university, is a promoter of knowledge. If one wanted, and had the will, one could obtain the same knowledge gleaned in a university by studying the stacks. Granted, a diploma does not accompany such endeavors, but knowledge will have been gained, nonetheless. It is this principle that Andrew Carnegie promoted: the idea that knowledge should be free to all. Andrew Carnegie’s ideals helped to form the modern public library into what it is today.

Today’s public libraries are incorporating advances to technology into their paradigms, making computers, e-readers, 3D printing, internet access, laser cutters, and much more available to the public.  READ MORE >>