Time in the Library

27th February, 2010 - Posted by L. John Mason -

As I write this blog, I am sitting in our community’s public library. It is Saturday so I am out with my “little brother,” Ethan, and he does not have access to a computer with the internet at his home. He likes to come to the library on the days that we get together to catch up with certain websites on the internet that he follows. These can include cartoons and the latest information about his video games (but, at least he is learning how to use technology to get information that he feels he requires.) It gives me time to consider what I need to do and today, I am making this brief contribution to the Stress Education Center’s blog.

I wonder whether public libraries will go the way of local bookstores… out of business. I hope not. People need access to books and information that they can not adequately receive from the internet. My wife loves reading and she loves her books. She is sad that she can not browse through a local bookstore for her favorite authors. We have to drive more than one hour to get to a decent bookstore. Some more convenient shops have closed. Now, she does know how to order her books on Amazon.com but she misses the excitement of finding new titles and holding them in her hands. And for immediate gratification, nothing is better, for her, than grabbing that new treasure and purchasing it at full price….

But our public libraries are suffering through difficult financial times. Television and the internet are beginning to allow some people to think that public libraries are unnecessary and like the dinosaurs should go extinct… This is poor judgement in my thinking. People such as Ethan might not have the option of using the public information system and bridging the gap with more fortunate families. The library also offers positive outings and events for people to attend which have respect for education and the access of free information. Most librarians are expert at asssting with research and know where to find information where most of us would never think to look.

I hope that support for public libraries and free information to our communities does not become a victim of misplaced financial realities. My thought to you readers is that you honor and celebrate your educational opportunities and that you continue to support free information that is not entirely internet based.

Learn on…. Exercise your minds daily…