“Well-run libraries are filled with people because what a good library offers cannot be easily found elsewhere: an indoor public space in which you do not have to buy anything in order to stay. In the modern state there are very few sites where this is possible. The only others that come readily to my mind require belief in an omnipotent creator as a condition for membership. It would seem the most obvious thing in the world to say that the reason why the market is not an efficient solution to libraries is because the market has no use for a library. But it seems we need, right now, to keep re-stating the obvious. There aren’t many institutions left that fit so precisely Keynes’ definition of things that no one else but the state is willing to take on. Nor can the experience of library life be recreated online. It’s not just a matter of free books. A library is a different kind of social reality (of the three dimensional kind), which by its very existence teaches a system of values beyond the fiscal.”
Zadie Smith
I love this defence of public libraries! They are indeed quite unique public spaces, filled to the brim, places where books are borrowed, and art is shown, and stories are told to toddlers, and children do craft and groups gather and meet, and Justices of the Peace sit quietly and witness your documents and children and adults share computers and others make the daily visit to read the newspaper in a comfy chair and...so much more. These are just my observations of a small country town library.
Whenever I pop in I gaze in admiration at the range of activities happening and the ease with which everybody seems able to do the bit they want to do. Libraries are such open environments - open to ideas and welcoming of people, they seem so democratic. You don't need to sign up to believe in anything or or pay anything or commit to anything, just to show respect to others as you share the space.
Zadie Smith is right that there are very few free places left, that don't encourage, promote or require expenditure on your behalf. Libraries loan books for sure, but they are and do so much more.
Zadie Smith
I love this defence of public libraries! They are indeed quite unique public spaces, filled to the brim, places where books are borrowed, and art is shown, and stories are told to toddlers, and children do craft and groups gather and meet, and Justices of the Peace sit quietly and witness your documents and children and adults share computers and others make the daily visit to read the newspaper in a comfy chair and...so much more. These are just my observations of a small country town library.
Whenever I pop in I gaze in admiration at the range of activities happening and the ease with which everybody seems able to do the bit they want to do. Libraries are such open environments - open to ideas and welcoming of people, they seem so democratic. You don't need to sign up to believe in anything or or pay anything or commit to anything, just to show respect to others as you share the space.
Zadie Smith is right that there are very few free places left, that don't encourage, promote or require expenditure on your behalf. Libraries loan books for sure, but they are and do so much more.
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| ©2012 Fiona Dempster - detail outside New York City Library |
mmmmmmmmmmmm libraries have books...... lots and lots and lots of booooooooooooooks
ReplyDeleteYe Ronnie - and today we got given boxes of their old ones t play with! Have you checked out Barry's book wall? http://rustnstuff.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/the-wall.html
DeleteIsn't it amazing that this one place seems very alike all around the world? My library is such a gem - I've shown my art there, been to free concerts, there is something cool happening every week, mostly free. The folks that work there are wonderfully generous spirits! I just can't say enough about libraries! I'm sad to say that my family was very into books, but the rather large library I grew up with didn't hook me in the same way. I feel like its Christmas when I order books from the library's internet site and 2 days later I get a message that my books are in. They come from all over the state and I can go pick them up, enjoy them for a few weeks and send them back. What joy!
ReplyDeleteHi Valerianna - I love hearing how your library is like our library! How fabulous that they share this commonality and give so much throughout the world. That really makes me happy. It's truly stunning isn't it? Big yay for libraries.
DeleteI echo all of what Valerianna says. I went to an exhibition in a local library yesterday and I'm demonstrating two sessions myself next week as part of Adult Learner's Week in the UK. They are about more than books, they are a community in themselves and they are a resource we must not lose.
ReplyDeleteSo perfect Lesley - we have libraries across three countries behaving in similar ways, offering so much to their communities and giving such pleasure. Hope your workshops go well by the way! I love libraries, and really would go to the barricades for them. Go well.
DeleteI'll go to the barricades with you, Fiona! Long live public libraries for all the above reasons.
ReplyDeleteI'll see you there Carol if we need to! They are brilliant places are they not?
ReplyDelete