Reopening the books on a community -- Libraries build community!

[HuckleB]

Reopening the books on a community

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/david_sarasohn/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1079183065140830.xml

"As sociologists keep warning us, we're discarding the things that hold us together. Instead of parks and playgrounds, people go to health clubs. Instead of the public square, Americans huddle by themselves on the Internet. People explain that the way to deal with public schools -- where there's still a possibility of future citizens' meeting somebody different from themselves -- is to give out vouchers for kids to leave and end that possibility.

But now, with the opening of Multnomah County's last remodeled library, we've put our money into places where people actually come together like citizens -- in a provocative atmosphere of books and ideas.

No wonder that, Monday morning, people were waiting outside for the doors to open."

Libraries Rock! My neighborhood library is Hollywood, noted as the busiest branch library in the nation. Woo hoo! I love living in a neighborhood where people read.

Tell us about your library and how it builds your local community.

:)

[Don Claybrook]

1. Good topic. Now, about my library...

Don't know how it compares to Hollywood's, but my library rocks too! The building is beautiful. The collections are extensive. It's a great example of our tax dollars at work.

The library has around 4000 feature films on DVD, and many thousands more on VHS. They have a lot greater selection than Blockbuster and the like, and it's all free. Additionally, they have thousands and thousands of compact disc albums.

The library is also technologically up-to-date. You can search their collection via the Internet, and you can reserve books/DVD/audio over the Internet as well.

They have a book sale every Tuesday, where good, library-bound books go for a dime, 50 cents, up to $2.00 for particularly large tomes.

The library also houses the local community access television studios. I haven't been in that wing of the library, but I know our local access stuff on television occasionally has some really good stuff.

The children's section is HUGE (I have 3 kids) and fully stocked.

I can't say enough good stuff about my library. I'm glad you started this thread.

[bookman]

2. Kudos for the post

I'm a big supporter of libraries. I like people who support them. (Even some Republicans)

Not just for the children's collection, but for the wealth of knowledge available to citizens.

My local libraries are under attack from the radical republicans, and I actively support those who support libraries.

[HuckleB]

3. Woo hoo!

Well, it's good to see a couple of library lovers on the boards!

-Cheers!