This morning, library related web sites were a buzz with the sad news that the Free Library of Philadelphia will be closing. This news is nothing short of heart breaking to a librarian. If you would like to read more at this closing, visit the link
HERE.
For those who feel so inclined, The Free Library of Philadelphia has posted a page with information about what you can do to try to help save their libraries. That link is
HERE.
Philadelphia has an especially rich history with libraries. Benjamin Franklin is often credited with starting public libraries in this country, and founded the
Library Company of Philadelphia. There, Franklin is said to have hired this country's first librarian. (It is important to note that Franklin's library was a "subscription library" and is not the same as the Free Library.
The library founded by Franklin is not closing. I point out Franklin's library to illustrate Philadelphia's history with libraries.)
While this news is surely sad, and a departure from my usual weekend "fun" posting, I want to clear any possible misconceptions.
The Freedom Library in Charlotte, NC is not closing. An internet search about the closing of the Free Library in Philadelphia may lead some to this blog (due largely to the similar URL freelibrary.blogspot.com / freelibrary.org and a recent post where I mention this branch will be closed for Labor Day).
Again, to be clear, The Freedom Regional Public Library in Charlotte, North Carolina is not closing.
I would like to make this a posting about hope. In many ways, a library represents knowledge. Knowledge is a tool. It is the tool that gives us hope for improvement in our selves and in our future.
In difficult times, the best investment you can make is to invest in yourself. These investments can be in the form of adding to your personal knowledge. Libraries are one way that people can invest in themselves. With a low barrier for entry, many libraries offer classes in job skills- such as writing resumes, using computers or becoming more skilled in common office software.
The Freedom Library here in Charlotte offers many such classes and will resume offering regular adult technology classes in October.
Libraries across the US are currently seeing an increase in use and demand, and we are working hard to meet that demand. CNN recently ran a story on
the future of libraries and the growth in digital services. While that story predicted a shift from books, it still outlined strong future for libraries (in my eyes).
*Please note that editorial comments are the views of this blog post's author, and may not reflect the views of PLCMC.
