I don’t know about anyone else, but libraries where I live don’t have padded chairs and perfect lighting. They are industrial, lit by fluorescents, noisy with kids, and with scant few books anymore even, offering most of the catalog now digitally. But with all that they are still great resources.
I’ve moved around quite a lot, and libraries are the single thing that changes the most depending on your state. I don’t really mind bad libraries, because they are always in states with no income taxes. But when I’m in a state with an income tax, I always use the liberty to its fullest.
…of all the things government can do well Libraries rank super high next to state and national parks…sacred spaces worth protecting and seeing as often as you can…
Me too. My town is ostensibly building a new one. One of my projects next year is to talk to the committee and see about donating some smithed ornamentation and a live-edged display shelf that I custom make for them.
Your local library looks so lovely and cozy! Public libraries are my favorite, and I wish people used them and cherished them more. You can also get a lot of great resources from them, like access to databases online and things like JSTOR and Kanopy (at least through my local library system).
You are 100% correct, and for that reason, and I mean no offense, I hope few people read this. I like my library peaceful, quiet, and devoid of crowds. It's one of the few places, sometimes the only place where I can focus.
What a great reminder! I live in places with excellent public libraries, but never really think to use them. And I really like the sense of silent, civic engagement.
Your Amazon bought/read ratio of 8:1 certainly has me thinking about my own Amazon habit, and magazine and newspaper subscriptions as well. Certainly an incentive to get to the library more.
Now if libraries could just do something about old books with the odd page or two stuck together by a foreign but disgusting substance...
Yuck, ha - I haven't come across as many of those. But do check out your local library... You might be surprised by how great it is. Or not. Only one way to find out.
Couldn't agree with this more, Jeff. I'm spoiled living in Boston with plenty of excellent options for both free and private libraries and they are a great respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. One of my favorite public services that more people should take advantage of!
I have to disagree with the statement that libraries are "{one of the few remaining bulwarks against social fragmentation and shallow culture."
Libraries are one of the flashpoints of the culture war and most on the left don't even realize it. From "drag queen story hour" to book banning propaganda to simple book stocking bias, libraries are definitely socially fragmented and in my opinion, shallow culture.
I do go to the local library when they hold local town meetings, but otherwise avoid it even though I am taxed for it.
Instead, I have created my own library where other local kids, most in our homeschooling community, can find books of real value. Mortimer J. Adler's (yesterday's liberal who not recognize todays liberals) "How to Read a Book" and the "Great Books of the Western World" as well the "Harvard Classics" are wonderful places to start. Add a complete set of older Encyclopedias (never use Wikipedia) and a very exhaustive older dictionary (again anchoring against the left's ever-changing war on words).
Our library is too interested in replacing the works of "old white dudes" with today's mostly non-sense "literature" and in providing a place where everyone can show off that they read or study by frequenting the cheaper, tax funded version of Barnes and Noble.
That's not what my local library is like, but I understand your point. Regardless of differences in our POVs, it's impressive you've created your own library for your community.
I sympathize with this point of view. Fortunately, in my community library there is more of a "both / and" rather than "either / or" point of view.
The phenomenon of "banned books" has me shaking my head. Our library and our local bookstore both make a big deal about "banned books". Yet there they are, prominently displayed and ready to be read. So how are they "banned"? Now back in the days of James Joyce and the first publication of Ulysees, they really knew how to ban a book. Like go to jail if you bought it or sold it.
Drag queen story hour seems to have run its course. It doesn't seem to be on the schedule of our local library now, although it was last year.
I live in one of the most left-wing cities in the country, and my local library still stocks plenty of classics by “old white dudes.” I wonder if the “culture war” you speak of is really about the lack of access to classic literature or rather about the availability of newer works that you deem inappropriate. I homeschooled my kids and our library was an indispensable resource during that time.
Thanks for elaborating. That makes sense. I often underestimate the benefits of living in a large city (and, incorrectly in this case, implicitly associate small towns with conservative-leaning culture). I’ve seen videos of some self-appointed culture warriors making scenes in libraries, and jumped to conclusions. Good for you to make the classics available to young people in your community; they are indispensable for an educated population.
I don’t know about anyone else, but libraries where I live don’t have padded chairs and perfect lighting. They are industrial, lit by fluorescents, noisy with kids, and with scant few books anymore even, offering most of the catalog now digitally. But with all that they are still great resources.
I’ve moved around quite a lot, and libraries are the single thing that changes the most depending on your state. I don’t really mind bad libraries, because they are always in states with no income taxes. But when I’m in a state with an income tax, I always use the liberty to its fullest.
I understand that. All the more reason to invest in them, to make them more appealing. And still a great resource, as you mention.
…of all the things government can do well Libraries rank super high next to state and national parks…sacred spaces worth protecting and seeing as often as you can…
💯 and also thank you for the great feedback as always
Your library is *gorgeous.* I am in envy.
thanks. i'd love to see more of them look this good.
Me too. My town is ostensibly building a new one. One of my projects next year is to talk to the committee and see about donating some smithed ornamentation and a live-edged display shelf that I custom make for them.
Great piece, Jeff. I am curious though, why does your library charge $30 for the card? I have not heard of public libraries charging for membership.
Thanks. I'm not sure. I just know it's worth it for me.
To pay for the upscale interior decorating. Our library is free to join, but it also feels like a public library, not a country club.
Your local library looks so lovely and cozy! Public libraries are my favorite, and I wish people used them and cherished them more. You can also get a lot of great resources from them, like access to databases online and things like JSTOR and Kanopy (at least through my local library system).
Thanks. Glad you mentioned digital services — I'll have to see which ones my library offers.
You are 100% correct, and for that reason, and I mean no offense, I hope few people read this. I like my library peaceful, quiet, and devoid of crowds. It's one of the few places, sometimes the only place where I can focus.
What a great reminder! I live in places with excellent public libraries, but never really think to use them. And I really like the sense of silent, civic engagement.
Your Amazon bought/read ratio of 8:1 certainly has me thinking about my own Amazon habit, and magazine and newspaper subscriptions as well. Certainly an incentive to get to the library more.
Now if libraries could just do something about old books with the odd page or two stuck together by a foreign but disgusting substance...
Yuck, ha - I haven't come across as many of those. But do check out your local library... You might be surprised by how great it is. Or not. Only one way to find out.
Couldn't agree with this more, Jeff. I'm spoiled living in Boston with plenty of excellent options for both free and private libraries and they are a great respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. One of my favorite public services that more people should take advantage of!
Loved this, Jeff!
thank you!
They also offer great meeting spaces (Place of Public Accommodation), hold events, and some even have computers for loan/use.
Yes - great point
I have to disagree with the statement that libraries are "{one of the few remaining bulwarks against social fragmentation and shallow culture."
Libraries are one of the flashpoints of the culture war and most on the left don't even realize it. From "drag queen story hour" to book banning propaganda to simple book stocking bias, libraries are definitely socially fragmented and in my opinion, shallow culture.
I do go to the local library when they hold local town meetings, but otherwise avoid it even though I am taxed for it.
Instead, I have created my own library where other local kids, most in our homeschooling community, can find books of real value. Mortimer J. Adler's (yesterday's liberal who not recognize todays liberals) "How to Read a Book" and the "Great Books of the Western World" as well the "Harvard Classics" are wonderful places to start. Add a complete set of older Encyclopedias (never use Wikipedia) and a very exhaustive older dictionary (again anchoring against the left's ever-changing war on words).
Our library is too interested in replacing the works of "old white dudes" with today's mostly non-sense "literature" and in providing a place where everyone can show off that they read or study by frequenting the cheaper, tax funded version of Barnes and Noble.
That's not what my local library is like, but I understand your point. Regardless of differences in our POVs, it's impressive you've created your own library for your community.
I sympathize with this point of view. Fortunately, in my community library there is more of a "both / and" rather than "either / or" point of view.
The phenomenon of "banned books" has me shaking my head. Our library and our local bookstore both make a big deal about "banned books". Yet there they are, prominently displayed and ready to be read. So how are they "banned"? Now back in the days of James Joyce and the first publication of Ulysees, they really knew how to ban a book. Like go to jail if you bought it or sold it.
Drag queen story hour seems to have run its course. It doesn't seem to be on the schedule of our local library now, although it was last year.
I live in one of the most left-wing cities in the country, and my local library still stocks plenty of classics by “old white dudes.” I wonder if the “culture war” you speak of is really about the lack of access to classic literature or rather about the availability of newer works that you deem inappropriate. I homeschooled my kids and our library was an indispensable resource during that time.
That's good to hear. I am in a small left-wing town in Alaska. They have a few token samples, but usually its an order only item (inter-library loan).
I do not deem the books inappropriate but insufficiently representative as a whole.
And the culture war is well documented in all of society, not just my hometown library.
Thanks for elaborating. That makes sense. I often underestimate the benefits of living in a large city (and, incorrectly in this case, implicitly associate small towns with conservative-leaning culture). I’ve seen videos of some self-appointed culture warriors making scenes in libraries, and jumped to conclusions. Good for you to make the classics available to young people in your community; they are indispensable for an educated population.