Cultural attraction
(Not entirely true. Casinos are also free to enter.)
Yes, that libraries are free is one of the main draws, but it is baffling to me that something being free to the public is occasionally used to discount the importance of that thing. Parks, roads, schools, police and firefighters are the same kind of “free” as libraries: paid for by taxpayer funds, and we believe all of those things to be vital to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
A deeper dive into the Gallup data reveals how important libraries are to those with lower incomes. Higher-income households do more activities overall — because they can afford them — which makes maintaining open and accessible alternatives even more important. Households with income under $40,000 a year visit libraries at much higher rates than households with incomes over $100,000 per year (12.2 to 8 1⁄2).
If you think the so-called “digital native” generation would be turning its back on libraries, guess again. Visits to libraries are highest among the youngest group, 18- to 29-year-olds, at 15 1⁄2 per year. The nextyoungest group, 30 to 49, is at 12.3 visits per year — well above the overall average.
Also, library visits are highest in the Midwest, at 12.9 per year. Take a bow, my friends in the middle of the country, for knowing you have a good thing and making use of it.
We should be thinking about how to make more library-like things rather than looking for ways to cut public services.
Think of how adaptable libraries have had to become to keep pace with the digital age. Consider the range of activities and programming that is available — classes, book clubs, readings, children’s activities, community meetings. You can even use your library for resources to help you start and run your own business or nonprofit, including free, reserved meeting spaces.
And once you have your job or have started your business, you can go to the library to get your taxes prepared — for free.
Take that, TurboTax.
If anyone starts talking about how we can’t afford libraries and we need to reduce taxes or tighten our belts, point them toward this article and ask them what they have against institutions that are both dynamic and enduring.
We don’t want a world without libraries.
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This list demonstrates a clear interest in the complexities of history and how different perspectives allow for different interpretations. I’m recommending a historical work fresh off the presses:
Owens
by Adam H. Domby.
Kristina McMorris by Donna Tartt by Kristin Hannah by Min Jin Lee
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Another list of highly common reads — again, nothing wrong with that — but I’m countering with something not so recently published: by Mohsin Hamid.
Get a reading from the Biblioracle
Send a list of the last five books you’ve read to books@chicagotribune.com.