books in library essay

Essay on Library and Its Uses for Students and Children

500 words essay on library and its uses.

A library is a place where books and sources of information are stored. They make it easier for people to get access to them for various purposes. Libraries are very helpful and economical too. They include books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, manuscripts and more. In other words, they are an all-encompassing source of information.

A public library is open to everyone for fulfilling the need for information. They are run by the government, schools , colleges, and universities. The members of the society or community can visit these libraries to enhance their knowledge and complete their research.

Importance of Libraries

Libraries play a vital role in providing people with reliable content. They encourage and promote the process of learning and grasping knowledge. The book worms can get loads of books to read from and enhance their knowledge. Moreover, the variety is so wide-ranging that one mostly gets what they are looking for.

Furthermore, they help the people to get their hands on great educational material which they might not find otherwise in the market. When we read more, our social skills and academic performance improves.

Most importantly, libraries are a great platform for making progress. When we get homework in class, the libraries help us with the reference material. This, in turn, progresses our learning capabilities and knowledge. It is also helpful in our overall development.

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Uses of Library

A library is a very useful platform that brings together people willing to learn. It helps us in learning and expanding our knowledge. We develop our reading habits from a library and satisfy our thirst and curiosity for knowledge. This helps in the personal growth of a person and development.

Similarly, libraries provide authentic and reliable sources of information for researchers. They are able to complete their papers and carry out their studies using the material present in a library. Furthermore, libraries are a great place for studying alone or even in groups, without any disturbance.

Moreover, libraries also help in increasing our concentration levels. As it is a place that requires pin drop silence, a person can study or read in silence. It makes us focus on our studies more efficiently. Libraries also broaden our thinking and make us more open to modern thinking.

Most importantly, libraries are very economical. The people who cannot afford to buy new books and can simply borrow books from a library. This helps them in saving a lot of money and getting information for free.

In short, libraries are a great place to gain knowledge. They serve each person differently. They are a great source of learning and promoting the progress of knowledge. One can enjoy their free time in libraries by reading and researching. As the world has become digitized, it is now easier to browse through a library and get what you are looking for. Libraries also provide employment opportunities to people with fair pay and incredible working conditions.

Thus, libraries help all, the ones visiting it and the ones employed there. We must not give up on libraries due to the digital age. Nothing can ever replace the authenticity and reliability one gets from a library.

FAQs on Library and Its Uses

Q.1 Why are libraries important?

A.1 Libraries help in the overall development of a person. They provide us with educational material and help enhance our knowledge.

Q.2 State some uses of the library.

A.2 A library is a great platform which helps us in various things. We get the reference material for our homework. Research scholars get reliable content for their papers. They increase our concentration levels as we read there in peace.

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Essay on Library: 100, 200 and 250 Words

• Updated on  
• Apr 24, 2024

A Library is a place where students and people interested in reading books visit very often. It constitutes several collections of books of variable genres to please the reader. The library is the in-person source of information. It is an easily accessible place for students and raiders. Every school and college has a library with multiple books. Besides that, it is economical for the students. This article will provide an essay on library for students and children studying in schools. Enjoy Reading.

Table of Contents

• 1 Sample Essay on Library
• 2 100 Words Essay on Library
• 3 200-250 Words Essay on Library
• 4 Short Essay on Library

Also Read: English Essay Topics

Sample Essay on Library

The library is an important place for the community. It includes books, newspapers, magazines, manuscripts, DVDs, and more such informational sources. It plays a significant role in the kid’s learning phase. Despite the advancement in technology , the library still plays a critical role in everyone’s life. One can borrow books from the library. There are two types of libraries one is a private library that is controlled by the school and college authorities, whereas the other is a public library that is open to all. 

100 Words Essay on Library

A library is a place where books belonging to different subjects and genres are stored. My school also has a very big library next to the computer lab. Our timetable is designed in such as format that we could visit the library twice a week and explore books apart from our syllabus. This practice of visiting and exploring books in the library induces a habit of reading in all the students.

My school library has autobiographies, picture books, comics, novels, fictional books, books on culture, art, and craft, and many other materials. Students can borrow the desirable book to read for one week and then, on a specific date we need to return that book to the school library.  Thus, the library teaches us the value and importance of books and inculcates the habit of reading and imparting knowledge.

Also Read: Bachelor of Library Science

200-250 Words Essay on Library

The library is the place where people come together to learn and gain knowledge. Books are arranged on large bookshelves. Books belonging to similar genres are arranged on the same shelf by the librarian. The librarian is in charge of the library.

Some libraries have digital software to keep track of books issued and received to and from the library. Owing to technological advances, books are nowadays available on online platforms. Readers can read the book on apps like Kindle. But still, the library has its role, it is easily accessible plus it will provide a trustworthy source of information. 

Good raiders prefer books to read in their physical form as they cherish the quality of pages, type of writing , and the authenticity of book covers. Thus, the library plays an important role in the student’s as well as adults’ life.

Every school allots specific hours for students to visit and read books from the library so that they can induce reading habits from childhood itself. Students also refer to books from the library to complete their assignments or summer vacation homework. 

There are set rules and regulations of the library. Generally, we are not allowed to talk so that readers won’t get distracted and lose their pace of reading. Besides that, if any book issued from the library gets misplaced, damaged, or lost from the borrower then, he/she has to pay a fine to the librarian. 

Thus, the library is an excellent resource for books that spread knowledge and information along with entertainment . 

Also Read: One Nation One Election Essay in 500 Words

Short Essay on Library

Also Read: Speech on President of India for School Students in English

A. The library plays a critical part in every individual starting from the school itself. It helps in developing the overall personality because reading books and gaining knowledge help people to make a good career.

A. Include points like what is a library, why books are important, and the importance of a library in the life of students and children. Divide your essay into three parts introduction, body, and conclusion. End the concluding paragraph on a positive note. 

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Short Essay on Importance of Library [100, 200, 400 Words] With PDF

Libraries play an important role in the lives of readers and learners alike. In this lesson, you will learn to write essays in three different sets on the importance of libraries. It will help you in articulating your thoughts in the upcoming exams.

Short Essay on Importance of Library in 100 Words

A collection of books is called a library. It is a place that plays many primary and functional roles in the lives of both readers and learners. Many people like to visit libraries weekly, and book aficionados pay their visit religiously every day. A bookworm’s favourite location is the library.

Extroverts explore the unexplored territory in the numerous novels the library offers, while introverts take sanctuary in its quiet nooks. A person with resources goes to the library to improve their talents, while a person with limited resources goes to the library because books are the most cost-effective way to learn new skills. It is the only place that provides something to all who seek comfort under its roof.

Short Essay on Importance of Library in 200 Words

A library is a place that maintains a collection of all forms of literature and important journals. The importance of a library in the lives of both readers and learners cannot be overstated. Many people go there once a week, while book enthusiasts go there every day. For a bookworm, the library is the best place to be.

Extroverts explore the unexplored territory in the numerous novels it has to offer, while introverts take solace in its snug corners. A person of means goes to the library to improve their talents, but a person of limited means goes to the library because books are the most cost-effective way to learn new skills. A student visits the library searching for reference books to boost his confidence for impending tests. A teacher, on the other hand, goes to the library to find latent information that isn’t readily apparent in the set curriculum. 

Libraries are gaining more importance in the lives of one and all with digitalisation. As more and more things become digitised, several libraries have created their digital versions. It is user-friendly and simply accessible. It is even less expensive than a traditional library’s annual subscription. The value of libraries cannot be adequately expressed in words. It also has something to do with aesthetic enjoyment. Readers enjoy reading, learners enjoy learning, and educators enjoy exploring, yet neither can get enough of the library as a whole.

Short Essay on Importance of Library in 400 Words

A library is a place that maintains a collection of all forms of literature, reference books, periodicals and important journals. It plays a vital role in the lives of readers and learners alike. It is the most favourite place for a bookworm. While introverts seek refuge in its cosy corners, extroverts explore the uncharted territories in the many books it has to offer.

A student looks for reference books in the library to earn more confidence for the upcoming exams. In contrast, a teacher picks up reference books from the library to discover the latent knowledge that is not easily found in the prescribed curriculum. A keen learner wants to leave no book untouched, whereas a writer wants to read and write all the books at once. A person with obsessive-compulsive disorder visits the library to adore its different sections and, in the process, picks up new ways to or organised reorganise their bookshelves

Library memberships make reading economical and help one in taking up reading as a hobby. It makes one more informative, wise and knowledgeable. It also makes us more disciplined and gives our minds a place to think. The silence maintained in the library helps one focus and concentrate on the right things.

It channelises and re-channelises our thoughts by bringing us new ideas. It is an escape from reality. Under its roof, the old and the young come together to read the celebrated classics. It maintains a record and helps us understand the importance of keeping a journal. A library, most importantly, makes one fall in love with the pages of books time and again.

Libraries charge membership fees and take late charges if the book is not returned on time. This makes the borrower time-bound, and they try to complete the entire book within the given time interval. It makes one time-efficient and improves time management skills. It also nurtures self-discipline and teaches us to value all the resources such as time, money and knowledge alike.

Many libraries, such as the British Council, conduct important seminars and sessions that expose keen academicians. It acts as a venue for exchanging creative ideas and helps one with their respective career goals. Some libraries also conduct English speaking sessions to improve speaking skills and vocabulary. These days, as everything is getting digital, many libraries have come up with their digital version too.

It is user friendly and accessible easily. It is even cheaper than the annual membership of the physical library. One cannot estimate all the importance of libraries in words. It has got to do with aesthetic pleasure as well. Readers like to read, learners like to learn, educationists like to explore, and neither can have enough of the library as a whole.

Hopefully, after going through this lesson, you have a holistic idea about the importance of libraries in our lives. I have tried to cover every aspect of a library’s need and significance within and outside the lives of learners within limited words. If you still have any doubts regarding this session, kindly let me know through the comment section below. To read more such essays on many important topics, keep browsing our website. 

Join us on Telegram to get the latest updates on our upcoming sessions. Thank you, see you again soon.

Essay on Library for Students and Children in 1000+ Words

In this post, you will read an Essay on Library for students and children in 1000 words. This includes introduction, origin, significance, kinds, advantages, use and 10 lines on library.

Table of Contents

Introduction (Essay on Library)

When we think about the word library, we see that it comprises a mix of two words – Book + Alaya; That is the book house. The place where various sorts of books are concentrated freely, is known as a library.

On old occasions it was hard to get information from books; Because we find books in a similar spot as today; Did not get as much at that point.

Origin of library

Significance of library.

Every individual who gains a book from a library needs to pay a month to month or yearly expense. He at that point turns into an individual from the library and gets the option to get a book.

A genuine companion

Treasure of knowledge.

Just like a treasure of gold and wealth, the library is the mine of knowledge, whether it is online or offline. The books in the library give unlimited knowledge and information. We can get historical information’s about our antecessors and cultures. Many know about science, history, civilization, etc.

Lots of Kinds of books availability

Kinds of libraries, advantages of library.

There are many advantages to the library. It is a proficient store of information. The library is one such source. Any place the unadulterated stream of information consistently remains. Ramchandra Shukla is correct.

By concentrating on a single and quiet condition, an individual can achieve many beliefs of information. In this spot, we can get important out of reach messages from various nations and Kalas, availability, our general information additionally increments with the information on books. 

Use of library book

Serene Investigation ought to be finished sitting in the library. Where the book started from, the post-study book ought to be kept there.

10 Lines on Library

Reader interactions, leave a reply cancel reply, copyright protection, important links.

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• Library and It's Uses Essay

Essay on Library and It's Uses

The essay on the Library and its uses has been prepared by our teachers at Vedantu to help you guide with your essay on uses of the library. These are drafted in a very easy and effective way to make you understand and reciprocate the same in the essay writing an exam or in any of the competitions based on essay writing. We also have provided you with a PDF for downloading this essay. 

The library is the heart and soul of the education system. The library spreads knowledge and has many uses. The place where there are different types of books and that can be studied independently in the Library. There are many categories of the library depending on its usage. Some libraries are private, some are public while some are government one. Poor people, especially poor students who can’t afford to buy a book, can make great use of the library. They can borrow books from the library for acquiring knowledge. School and libraries are the two temples for the worship of the Goddess Saraswati.

Libraries play an important role in providing mysterious knowledge. It leads us from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. As humans need moderate and balanced diets for their physical strength, learning became essential for mental strength similarly. Being in touch with the libraries will help the human from lust and temptation. Moreover, Libraries are the leading means of sharing knowledge than any other media.  Great thinkers like Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had set up his own libraries.

Libraries are too awesome! Good reading and study habits can be established in the students through libraries as use of libraries helps to enhance the classroom experience. The library is frequently used for some research or in public issues. Libraries are essential in learning and acquiring progressive knowledge purposes. Libraries even help to learn a sense of responsibilities. The mistakes made in the past could be avoided in future, once learned from the history books.

The concentration power is tremendously raised with the assistance of the library. It has all forms of possible solutions to academic difficulties. The scoring in academics is improved when the student starts being in touch with the references books. The libraries also consist of the newspapers and articles to provide the events happening in the surrounding. Furthermore, We may find a person with the same kind of interest in the libraries which helps us in building the social network. In addition to the above, the new generation might be sad to hear but not everything is available on the internet. The Internet may sometimes have many mistakes that couldn't be realized. The Internet complies the libraries but fails to replace it. It's been also quoted that the greatest gift a child can receive from their parents is a book.      

In this 21st century, in the age of televisions, computers and the internet, people have started forgetting the essence of the library. The contribution of the government in the modernization of the libraries is being seen. They provide digital libraries and the necessary facilities at many places across. Modern libraries offer much more than the imagination for their visitors like CDs, DVDs and even the E-books are also made available. Most of the libraries are now setting their free WIFI services for allowing the candidates to enjoy the free internet surfing purpose. Many modern libraries are now offered online guest lectures and seminars on interesting topics by great philosophers.

FAQs on Library and It's Uses Essay

1. What are the uses of the library to students?

Students use libraries to enhance their classroom experiences. Libraries assist the students to improve good reading and learning habits. Public administrators use libraries for research and civic issues. The libraries provide information and assistance that are necessary for learning and progress. Libraries are very effective and economical too. They include books, journals, newspapers, DVDs, documents, scripts and more.

2. What is the importance of the library in our life?

Libraries play a very healthy role throughout our life. Libraries provide the students with a very healthy environment for learning as well as making notes or completing an assignment. Library provides a very peaceful, calm and disciplined atmosphere which aids learners to maintain a good concentration on their subjects. Libraries attract people to read and promote a practice of reading and learning. It improves their thirst for learning and expands knowledge. The library is also essential for any kind of research on different subjects.

3. What are the 4 types of the library?

According to the mode of services rendered to the readers; libraries are broadly divided into four types:

Academic Library - Academic libraries include the school library, college library and university library. 

Special Library - These are special types of libraries which serves only a particular group of people like employees of a form of the government department or research organization or the staff. 

Public Library - These are also called as circulating libraries. These libraries are public-funded such as tax money and it will be operated by the civil servants. 

National Library - These libraries are established by the specific government of the country. 

4. What are the advantages of the library?

The main advantage of the libraries is easy and (should be) free access to thousands of books. Access to educational sources that can be used for school purposes. A safe, warm and comforting environment that you can go to quietly read, do homework, etc.

Essay on Library for Kids

A library is a fantastic place for kids to read and learn effectively and play an important role in the kids learning phase. It is a place where they can find academic books, novels and journals to keep them engaged in learning. It is also a place where they can learn new things. A library is where people borrow books, check out magazines, and search for information. Libraries are essential because they provide access to knowledge that people might not find elsewhere. In addition, libraries serve as community centres, providing social interaction and learning opportunities. BYJU’S importance of library essay helps children learn the significance of libraries in this digital age.

Table of Contents

The role of libraries in a digital world, library services, benefits of libraries.

The library is a valuable resource in today’s world of technology . Libraries offer books, music, movies, and even computer software. They are also where people can get help with homework and research. Libraries are essential for access to information about the world around us and their role in helping people access research activities. A short essay on library helps kids understand the role of libraries in a digital world.

Libraries have always been important in the digital world. However, with the advent of the internet influence on kids and digital technology, libraries have become even more critical.

For example, many people now rely on libraries to access information online. According to a study, 76 per cent of adults ages 18 and older say that they use the internet at least occasionally for research. This means that many people turn to their local library to find information online through the digital library system.

A library is not just a room with books, it is a place that provides access to information and community service . A library offers its members resources to help them better understand the world around them in their educational pursuits. Libraries also provide programmes and services to help people meet their personal needs, such as book clubs and computer classes. After understanding the role of libraries in this digital era, let us now know about library services by reading BYJU’S essay on library in English.

Libraries are essential to a community because they allow people to come together and learn. They provide a space where people can find information on anything they want, from history to science to literature. Libraries are also important because they offer programmes and services to help community members. Libraries often offer book clubs that allow members to discuss various books together. Moreover, libraries provide computer classes, which would enable people to learn how to use the internet safely.

When it comes to finding information, a library is one of the best places to look. There is no doubt that the library has played a significant role in the history of civilisation. From providing information on everything from ancient world history to current events, libraries have been instrumental in helping people learn and grow. BYJU’S essay on library allows kids to understand the advantages of a library:

• Libraries provide access to information and resources not available anywhere else.
• Libraries are often a place where people can come to know new things.
• Libraries offer free programmes and services to help people stay ahead of the curve.
• Many libraries have Wi-Fi, so patrons can access the internet while in the library.
• Libraries often offer literacy tutoring, business support, and computer lab access to use their resources in the most efficient way possible.
• Libraries are spacious and well-lit.
• Libraries typically have comfortable chairs and tables for reading.
• Library staff are always happy to help you find what you are looking for.
• Many libraries offer free or discounted admission to members.
• Libraries usually have different floors with different sections.

Libraries are essential parts of our society and should be maintained and supported in any way possible. They are an excellent resource for everyone and should not be taken lightly. For more kids learning activities like worksheets , poems and stories , visit BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the first library in the world.

The Library of Ashurbanipal is the first library in the world.

Why should kids go to the library?

A library is an excellent place for children to explore their learning and discovery needs. They can learn new skills and interests with the help of many different library resources. They can also go to libraries to borrow books they cannot afford.

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Essay on Library for Students and Children

Libraries are much more than just buildings filled with books. They are magical places where the doors to knowledge, imagination, and endless possibilities swing wide open. In this essay, we will explore the remarkable world of libraries, their essential role in education and culture, and why they are cherished by communities around the world.

Libraries: A Treasure Trove of Books

At the heart of every library is an extensive collection of books. From timeless classics to the latest bestsellers, libraries offer a vast array of reading material that can transport readers to different worlds, eras, and perspectives. These books are windows to the past, present, and future.

Beyond Books: Multimedia Resources

Modern libraries go beyond traditional books. They offer multimedia resources, including e-books, audiobooks, DVDs, and online databases. These resources cater to a variety of learning styles and preferences, making libraries inclusive and accessible to all.

Lifelong Learning Centers

Libraries are not just for students; they are hubs of lifelong learning. They provide educational programs, workshops, and access to research materials, helping individuals of all ages pursue their passions and acquire new skills.

A Safe Haven for Students

For students, libraries are sanctuaries of study and concentration. They offer quiet spaces, free from distractions, where students can complete homework, research projects, and prepare for exams. Libraries level the academic playing field for all students.

Fostering a Love for Reading

Libraries play a crucial role in fostering a love for reading, especially in young children. Storytime sessions, reading challenges, and engaging book displays encourage children to explore the enchanting world of literature from an early age.

Community Gathering Spaces

Libraries are not just places for solitary study. They are community gathering spaces where people come together for book clubs, author talks, art exhibitions, and cultural events. Libraries strengthen the social fabric of neighborhoods.

Equal Access to Information

Libraries believe in equal access to information for all. They provide resources and services to people from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that knowledge is not restricted by socio-economic status or location.

Digital Literacy and Technology Access

In the digital age, libraries promote digital literacy by offering computer access, internet connectivity, and technology training. They bridge the digital divide, empowering individuals to navigate the digital world confidently.

Conclusion of Essay on Library

In conclusion, libraries are much more than repositories of books; they are gateways to knowledge, imagination, and community. They provide access to diverse resources, promote lifelong learning, and nurture a love for reading. Libraries are inclusive spaces that empower individuals to explore, learn, and grow. As the custodians of our cultural heritage and champions of education, libraries are invaluable treasures in our society. They inspire us to dream, to question, and to discover, making the world a richer and more enlightened place. Libraries are, and will continue to be, a source of wonder and enlightenment for generations to come.

Also Check: Simple Guide on How To Write An Essay

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Ten Reasons Libraries Are Still Better Than the Internet

By Marcus Banks | December 19, 2017

“Thanks to the internet, we no longer need libraries or librarians.” You most likely hear some variation on that theme pretty regularly.

Sixteen years ago, American Libraries published Mark Y. Herring’s essay “Ten Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library” (April 2001). Technology has improved exponentially since then—social media didn’t even exist yet. But even the smartest phone’s intelligence is limited by paywalls, Twitter trolls, fake news, and other hazards of online life. Here are 10 reasons why libraries are still better than the internet.

• Libraries are safer spaces. The internet brings people together, often in enjoyable and productive ways, such as over shared interests (pop culture blogs, fanfic sites) or common challenges (online support groups). But cyberbullying and trolling can leave people reluctant to engage with folks they disagree with or to share their ideas in the first place. Libraries are places where people can gather constructively and all are welcome.
• Libraries respect history. Web pages are ephemeral, and link rot is a real problem. The content of library collections is much more stable. Printed materials are generally published on acid-free paper, which will not disintegrate. And librarians are leading the way to bring similar stability to the web through services like the Internet Archive and perma.cc .
• Librarians digitize influential primary sources. While looking at historical artifacts is valuable, repeated physical handling can damage them. Making digital versions of important works available online—as in the National Library of Medicine’s Turning the Pages project —is one solution. Library digitization projects also provide information to people who do not have the resources to travel to a particular library. Librarians are using the emerging technology of the internet to further the timeless mission of providing better access to information. The internet is the platform that enables this progress, but librarians are doing the work.
• Librarians are leaders in increasing online access to scholarly information. The open access movement makes scholarly articles available to all readers online, and librarians have been strong advocates of the movement for more than a decade. This access is especially critical when reporting the results of medical research, which is often funded by taxpayer dollars.
• Librarians are publishers. Scholarly publishers still provide the journals and books that researchers develop. But librarians have joined these efforts by becoming publishers themselves. New librarian-led publishing initiatives take full advantage of the web and generally make new work available on an open access basis. One example of library publishing, which is common in academic libraries, is the institutional repository . These repositories collect and preserve the broad range of a college or university’s intellectual output, such as datasets gathered in research studies, computer code used in software development, and conference proceedings.
• Libraries host makerspaces. Given that makerspaces provide venues for creativity, learning, and community, it only makes sense that libraries champion them. The maker movement has grown rapidly— in 2016 there were 14 times as many makerspaces as in 2006 . Both public and academic libraries host makerspaces . You can learn about makerspaces online, of course. But to visit one you have to venture into the physical world.
• Librarians can help you sort the real news from the fake. While a plethora of useful, accurate, and engaging content is available online, the web is filled with inaccurate and misleading information. “Click bait” headlines get you to click on the content even if the underlying information is superficial or inaccurate. Misinformation is the spread of deliberate falsehoods or inflammatory content online, such as the Russian-backed ads placed on social media during the 2016 US presidential election . Librarianship has always been about providing objective, accurate, and engaging information that meets the needs of a particular person. This has not changed, and it is why librarians are experts in information literacy .
• Librarians guide you to exactly what you need. Google is an impressive search engine, but its results can be overwhelming, and many people do not know to filter them by content type (such as .pdf) or website source (such as .gov). Google offers many search tips , which are useful but generic. A conversation with a librarian can clarify exactly what you are looking for and figure out the best way to use Google—or many other resources—to find it.
• Librarians do not track your reading or search history to sell you things. Amazon’s book purchase recommendation feature is useful for learning about new books. But this usefulness comes at the expense of your privacy because your reading data is valuable business intelligence for Amazon. The same is true for your web searching history, which is why you often see ads for a product for weeks after searching for it just once. Librarians value and protect your privacy .
• Librarians do not censor. One core value of librarianship, as exemplified by the work of ALA’s Freedom to Read Foundation , is thwarting censorship and allowing the free and full exchange of ideas. The internet is a powerful tool for information sharing, but it takes human advocates to stand for information freedom.

Libraries continue to provide benefits that are both tangible—such as community spaces and human interaction—and harder to quantify—access, privacy, intellectual freedom. The internet is an indispensable and irreplaceable tool for modern living. But it is not a library and will not replace the work of librarians.

MARCUS BANKS is a journalist with prior experience as an academic library administrator.

Tagged Under

• information literacy
• intellectual freedom
• makerspaces
• open access
• privacy rights

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Associate Professor in Media, University of Notre Dame Australia

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There is a chapter towards the end of Stuart Kells’s The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders , in which the author envisions the library of the future as one in which “dreary hordes of students” stare mindlessly at “computers and reading machines”, ignorant of the more refined pleasures of paper and ink, vellum and leather.

This – the death of the book – is a familiar lament recounted by bibliophiles everywhere; a tragic epic in which the Goliath of technology slays the David of art and culture.

It may be superficially appealing to some. And yet, it misses the reality that writing itself is also a technology. Along with the wheel and the lever, it is one of the greatest technologies ever invented. The history of writing predates the invention of the book. It parallels and is a part of the history of other technological forms.

The history of the library is replete with mechanical marvels.

Take, for example, the book wheel , the scholar’s technology of the 16th century, an ingenious mechanical device operated by foot or hand controls, allowing a reader to move backwards and forwards across editions and volumes, referencing many different books as quickly possible.

Closer to our own century, there’s the Book Railways of the Boston Public Library installed in 1895, with tracks laid around every level of the stack to transport books. Or the ultra-modern teletype machine and conveyor belt used to convey book requests by the Free Library of Philadelphia in 1927. Or the current book retrieval system used at the University of Chicago, which boasts a system of robotic cranes .

Unlike Kells, I think there is a fabulous quality to the dream of an infinite library that can assemble itself in bits and bytes wherever a reader calls it into being. It sits well with the democratic dream of mass literacy.

It may well take an archaeologist – working a thousand years from now – a lifetime to unlock the data in our already defunct floppy discs and CD Roms. Then again, it took several hundred years of patient work before Jean-François Champollion deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs in 1822, and even longer for Henry Rawlinson to unlock the secrets of the cuneiform scripts of ancient Mesopotamia.

Of course, Kells’s new book is not a history of reading or writing. It is a history of books as artefacts. It tells of books of doubtful or impeccable provenance, discovered in lost libraries or inaccessible private collections, purloined by book thieves, or crazed and nefarious book collectors, or at the behest of rich or royal patrons. It is a narrative – albeit with an unfortunate, cobbled together quality – brimming with strange anecdotes about a small handful of books owned by a small handful of people; lost books yielding strange surprises, from discarded condoms to misplaced dental appointment slips.

Kells’s favoured haunts are the chained libraries of medieval monks, and the bawdy or scandalous collections of wealthy 18th century patrons. The library of St Gall , for example, which houses one of the largest medieval collections in the world. Or the Bodleian at Oxford, which was never intended to be an inclusive collection, but rather, as its founder Thomas Bodley put it, sought to exclude “almanackes, plaies, and an infinit number” of other “unworthy matters” which he designated “baggage bookes” and “riff-raffe”.

I am a great lover of books. I have been lucky enough to while away the hours in libraries from Beijing to St Petersburg, Belgrade and Buenos Aires. But in an age of economic disparity and privatised public services – of pay walls, firewalls and proprietary media platforms, not to mention Google and Amazon – it is difficult to feel convinced by this bibliophile’s nostalgic reveries.

Embodying an idea of society

More than 20 years ago, when I was living in New York, eking out a living as a copyeditor and more often as a waitress, I became a regular at the 42nd Street Library (also known as the New York Public Library), on Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, a few blocks from the apartment that I shared in Midtown.

It was not just the size of the collection that drew me in – the 120 kilometres of bookshelves housing one of the largest collections in the world – or the ornate ceilings of the main reading room, which ran the length of a city block, with 42 oak tables for 636 readers, the bookish dimness interrupted by the quiet glow of reading lamps. I was fascinated by the library’s pneumatic system .

This labyrinthine contraption, which had been state-of-the-art around the dawn of the 20th century, sent call slips flying up and around through brass tubes descending deep underground – down seven stories of steel-reinforced book stacks where the book was found, then sent up on an oval shaped conveyor belt to arrive in the reading room.

The pneumatic system – with its air of retro, steampunk or defunct book technology – seemed to intimate the dream of a future that had been discarded, or, at least, never actually arrived. Libraries are not just collections of books, but social, cultural and technological institutions. They house not only books but also the idea of a society.

The predecessors of the New York Public Library, the Carnegie libraries of the 1880s, were not just book stacks but also community centres with public baths, bowling alleys, billiard rooms, and in at least one strange instance – at the Allegheny library in Pittsburgh – a rifle range in the basement.

Earlier in the 18th century, with the rise of industrial printing technologies and the spread of mass literacy, not only libraries but as many as a thousand book clubs sprang up through Europe. They were highly social, if occasionally rowdy places, offering a space not only for men but also women to gather. Monthly dinners were a common feature. Book club rules included penalties for drunkenness and swearing.

So too, the fabled Library of Alexandria – where Eratosthenes invented the discipline of geography and Archimedes calculated the accurate value of Pi – was not a collection of scrolls but a centre of innovation and learning. It was part of a larger museum with botanical gardens, laboratories, living quarters and lecture halls. Libraries are social places.

Lost libraries

Kells’s Catalogue of Wonders is at its best when it recounts the stories of these ancient libraries, charting the accidental trails of books, and therefore ideas, through processes of translating, pirating and appropriation. And the trades and technologies of papermaking that enabled them.

The library of the Pharaoh Ramses II in the second millennium BCE contained books of papyrus, palm leaves, bone, bark, ivory linen and stone. But “in other lands and other times,” Kells writes,

books would also be made from silk, gems, plastic, silicon, bamboo, hemp, rags, glass, grass, wood, wax, rubber, enamel, iron, copper, silver, gold, turtle shell, antlers, hair, rawhide and the intestines of elephants.

One sheep, he says, yields a single folio sheet. A bible requires 250. The Devil’s Bible , a large 13th-century manuscript from Bohemia, was made from the skin of 160 donkeys.

Ptolemy founded the Library of Alexandria around 300 BCE, on a spit of land between a lake and the man-made port of Pharos. He sent his agents far and wide with messages to kings and emperors, asking to borrow and copy books.

There are many stories about the dissolution of this library: that it was burnt by invading Roman soldiers or extremist Christians or a pagan revolt – or that a caliph ordered the books be burnt to heat the waters of the urban bathhouses. Or just as likely, as Kells points out, the scrolls, which were made of fragile papyrus, simply disintegrated.

But the knowledge contained in the scrolls never entirely disappeared. Even as the collection dissipated, a brisk trade in pirated scrolls copied out in a nearby merchant’s district ensured that the works eventually found their way to Greece and Constantinople, where other libraries would maintain them for another thousand years.

Destroyed collections

One thing that Kells fails to address in his book is the problems that arise when books are excluded, destroyed, censored and forgotten. And, indeed, when libraries are decimated.

Any list of destroyed libraries makes startling reading: The libraries of Constantinople sacked by the Crusaders, the Maya codices destroyed by Franciscan monks, the libraries of Beijing and Shanghai destroyed by occupying Japanese forces, the National Library of Serbia destroyed by the Nazi Luftwaffe, the Sikh Library of the Punjab destroyed at the behest of Indira Gandhi, the Library of Cambodia destroyed by the Khmer Rouge.

More recently, thousands of priceless manuscripts were burnt in the Timbuktu library in Mali and rare books spanning centuries of human learning were burnt at the University of Mosul. Yet more book burnings have been conducted by ISIS, in a reign of cultural devastation that includes museums, archaeological sites, shrines and mosques.

There is also destruction for which the so called “Coalition of the Willing” must accept responsibility. Dr Saad Eskander, the Director of the Iraq National Library and Archive, reported the devastation of the library in a diary posted on the British Library website: archival materials 60% lost, rare books 95% lost, manuscripts 25% lost.

There may be something not quite right in mourning the death of books in a time of war, as people are dying. But the problem remains that without books and documents, the history of the world can be rewritten.

Indeed, as Iraqi librarians sought to preserve the bookish remains of their country in the still working freezer of a bombed out Iraqi officer’s club, the US military quietly airlifted the archives of the Baathist Secret Police out of the country.

These are the dark places where, as George Orwell once said, the clocks strike thirteen, and Kells does not go.

Of course, the great irony of censorship and book burning is that books are destroyed because it is believed that they are important, and they possess a certain power.

Libraries of the future

In the age of the globalisation of everything – and the privatisation of everything else – libraries can and must change. It is seldom discussed that one of the great destroyers of books are actually libraries themselves, bearing cost cuts, and space limitations. But this process can be ameliorated by companies such as Better World Books that divert library books from landfill, finding new owners and funding literacy initiatives – you can even choose a carbon neutral footprint at the checkout.

Libraries, by which I mean public libraries that are free, open and accessible, will not become extinct, even though they face new competition from the rise of private libraries and the Internet. Libraries will not turn into mausoleums and reliquaries, because they serve a civic function that extends well beyond the books they hold.

Libraries can and must change. Quiet study areas are being reduced, replaced not only by computer rooms but also by social areas that facilitate group discussions and convivial reading. There will be more books transferred to offsite storage, but there will also be more ingenious methods of getting these books back to readers.

There will be an emphasis on opening rare books collections to greater numbers of readers. There is and must be greater investment in digital collections. Your mobile phone will no longer be switched off in the library, but may well be the very thing that brings the library to you in your armchair.

The much heralded “death of the book” has nothing to do with the death of reading or writing. It is about a radical transformation in reading practices. New technologies are taking books and libraries to places that are, as yet, unimaginable. Where there will undoubtedly be new wonders to catalogue.

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Essay on Library

Students are often asked to write an essay on Library in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Library

Introduction to libraries.

Libraries are places filled with knowledge. They house books, magazines, newspapers, and digital media, providing a space for people to learn and explore.

Importance of Libraries

Libraries play a crucial role in education. They nurture curiosity, foster learning, and encourage reading habits. They’re a treasure trove of information.

Types of Libraries

There are many types of libraries. Public libraries serve communities, while academic libraries are part of schools or universities. Special libraries focus on specific subjects.

Libraries are essential for learning and growth. They’re a haven for knowledge seekers, fostering a love for reading and exploration.

250 Words Essay on Library

Introduction.

Libraries, the repositories of knowledge, have been the cornerstone of human civilization, fostering learning, innovation, and cultural enrichment. They have evolved over centuries to adapt to the changing needs of society, yet their core function remains the same: to democratize access to information.

The Role of Libraries in Society

Libraries play a pivotal role in society, serving as community centers where individuals can gather to explore, interact, and imagine. They provide access to a vast array of resources, both physical and digital, that cater to diverse learning styles and interests. Libraries also contribute to social cohesion, offering a safe and inclusive space for people of all backgrounds.

Libraries and Education

In the educational realm, libraries are indispensable. They support academic achievement by providing students with the tools to conduct research, deepen their understanding, and cultivate critical thinking skills. Libraries also foster lifelong learning, encouraging curiosity and intellectual growth beyond formal education.

The Digital Transformation of Libraries

The advent of the digital age has transformed libraries, expanding their reach and capabilities. Digital libraries provide remote access to a wealth of resources, facilitating self-paced learning and research. Moreover, they exhibit the potential to democratize education, breaking down geographical and socio-economic barriers to information.

In conclusion, libraries, whether physical or digital, are vital institutions that uphold the principles of knowledge, learning, and community. As they continue to evolve with societal needs and technological advancements, their enduring relevance is a testament to their inherent value.

500 Words Essay on Library

The significance of libraries.

Libraries have been an integral part of human civilization, serving as repositories of knowledge, culture, and history. They are more than mere collections of books; they are social institutions that foster learning, stimulate intellectual growth, and facilitate community engagement.

Libraries as Knowledge Repositories

Libraries play a crucial role in preserving and disseminating knowledge. They house a vast array of resources, from books and manuscripts to digital media, providing access to a wealth of information spanning various disciplines. This vastness of knowledge stimulates intellectual curiosity, encourages independent learning, and fosters an informed society.

The Role of Libraries in Education

Libraries are vital to the educational process, serving as learning hubs for students and educators alike. They provide access to academic resources, assist with research, and offer a conducive environment for study and contemplation. Libraries also promote literacy and lifelong learning, providing resources for self-directed education beyond the confines of formal schooling.

Libraries and Community Engagement

Libraries often serve as community centers, offering a space for individuals to connect, share ideas, and engage in cultural activities. They host events, workshops, and discussions that encourage community participation and foster social cohesion. In this way, libraries contribute to the social and cultural vitality of a community.

Libraries in the Digital Age

The future of libraries.

The future of libraries lies in their ability to adapt and innovate in response to societal changes. Libraries must continue to evolve, embracing new technologies and adapting their services to meet the changing needs of their patrons. They must also remain committed to their core mission: to provide access to information, foster learning, and serve as community hubs.

In conclusion, libraries are vital institutions that contribute significantly to individual and societal development. They are repositories of knowledge, catalysts for learning, facilitators of community engagement, and champions of digital literacy. As they navigate the challenges of the digital age, libraries must remain steadfast in their commitment to serving their communities, ensuring access to information, and promoting lifelong learning.

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Essay on Library and Its Uses in English for Children and Students

Table of Contents

Essay on Library and Its Uses: Library is the physical building or a room with the collection of books and resources accessible to a community. It consists of books and resources on diverse genres and subjects. Libraries are important for healthy development of society. It provide valuable services to meet the learning needs of the people. Libraries also benefit the economy of our nation as people use them for research purposes and to improve their job skills. They play an essential part in overall educational development of people and community.

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Almost every educational institute around the world has a library, with facilities of reading and issuance of books at very low charges. Many communities or societies also have their own libraries, open for membership to all. Libraries play a significant role in spreading knowledge and keeping the reading habit alive in people.

Long and Short Essay on Library and Its Uses in English

Here are long and short essay on library and its uses of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exams/school assignments.

After going through the essays you will understand the advantages of a library and role that it plays in the overall mental and educational development of an individual as well as a community.

You can select any Library and Its Uses Essay according to your need:

Short Essay on Library and Its Uses – Essay 1 (200 words)

Library is a storehouse of books. It also provides various other sources of information for reading in its premises as well as borrowing for home. The collection of library can include books, manuscripts, magazines, periodicals, videos, audios, DVDs and various other formats. Wide range of books are stored in a library and well organized in book shelves.

It is not possible for an individual to have such a wide collection of books at home. One can get access to diverse genres of books and other resources in library. It shuns the need to buy expensive books and resources. If there were no libraries many students who love to read would have been deprived of reading mostly due to financial difficulties.

Library is an important part of every educational institute such as schools, colleges and universities. Such a library is open for students of the particular institute it forms a part of. Therefore it contains a wide range of resources vital for the students.

Libraries attract people to read and develop habit of reading and learning. It increases their thirst for reading and expands knowledge. Library is also essential for any kind of research on different subjects.

Thus, libraries are important for research, information, knowledge and pleasure of reading. Libraries provide perfect environment to enjoy read peacefully.

Essay on Library Uses and Importance – Essay 2 (300 words)

Introduction.

Library is a place where there is huge collection of books and various other resources that are made accessible for reading and reference purpose. People of every age group can find resources such as books, magazines, periodicals, audios, videos and materials in other formats as per their reading interests and tastes.

Uses of Libraries

Library provides access to various books, materials, resources and digital media for research, information and knowledge. Libraries also provide services such as assistance in finding books of one’s interest which can be done with the help of librarians.

Besides, they provide space and environment to facilitate individual or group studies and collaboration. Libraries are extending their services by providing access to digital means and services by librarians in navigating and assisting with various resources of information. Libraries are becoming a center where people can engage in learning, enjoy reading and explore their interest in different subjects.

Importance of Libraries

Libraries play a vital role in encouraging and promoting the process of learning and gaining knowledge. People who love reading can have access to a wide range of books and resources. Libraries provide educational resources to everyone. Reading improves social skills, knowledge, mental health, academic performance and offers numerous other benefits. Library is a common platform for people with diverse reading interests and capacities. People get an opportunity to learn and progress as per their interests and capabilities. Library is the best place to spend leisure time wisely that leads to the overall development and well-being of an individual.

Thus, libraries are important and have different uses for different individuals. Libraries cultivate reading habits and promote progress of knowledge. However library is a perfect place to indulge in the pleasure of reading and for researching. Nowadays, librarians provide complete assistance and guidance with researching and navigating information.

Essay on Pros and Cons of Library – Essay 3 (400 words)

Libraries are buildings filled with stacks of books and resources. Modern day libraries also consist of electronic resources. Libraries offer wealth of knowledge, resources, space and environment to discover the world of books and enjoy studying or just reading for pleasure. The benefits of libraries are countless as they play a vital role in helping people by providing access to information, knowledge and entertainment resources. However, they do have a downside too. Here we have discussed few pros and cons of libraries:

Pros of Libraries

• Virtual libraries provide immediate access to wide range of books and resources. Libraries provide materials in all formats such as books, periodicals, magazines, videos, audios and digital media. The resources are customized and tailored to meet the needs of learners’ community. The wide range of resources meets the need of diverse users with diverse needs.
• Whether in educational or public library people benefit from the assistance of librarians and staff members. There is head librarian in every library and a team of professional staff who helps people with queries and also recommend books as per their interest.
• Libraries are always catalogued by trained staff. They are catalogued to meet the needs of the community. The catalogue is also entered and stored in computers so that it becomes easy for the users to search.
• Libraries have positive impact on the development of our society. They open a world of books and resources of information and knowledge to people for free.

Cons of Libraries

• Libraries require lot of staff and real estate to house various books and resources. It becomes really expensive to maintain libraries and the library staff. Since they are not seen as crucial, they are likely to bear budget cuts.
• Since a wide range of books and resources are to be maintained and updated in old libraries the useful resources may be limited due the time it takes to update. So, the libraries may not sometimes have access to the current information.
• Some limited edition books and journals from centuries ago may not be available in every library. People looking for such resources must visit traditional libraries for the same.

Some argue that there is technology to read online and do research so what is the need to visit library. Yet libraries have served the communities since centuries by providing original and quality resources. People who have the habit of visiting and using libraries understand the value and importance of libraries. In addition to it, there are people who love reading but cannot afford to buy many books and resources. They can get easy access to valuable resources in libraries.

Essay on School Library and Its Benefits for Students – Essay 4 (500 words)

School library is the library within the school where students, teachers and other staff members have access to books and other resources. Therefore the purpose of school library is to ensure equitable access to books, resources and information technology to all the members of the school. Over the history libraries have played essential role in imparting knowledge. They develop social, educational and cultural growth of the students.

School libraries are different from other public and private libraries as they mainly support and extend school curriculum. School libraries support students’ learning and have positive impact on students’ academic achievements. Teachers and students need library resources and services for knowledge and success. School library supports both teachers and students and is vital for teaching and learning process.

Benefits of School Library for Students

• School library supports students by providing various study materials and encouraging them to read. School library is an important source of knowledge for the students. Reading frequently in libraries improves vocabulary and develops reading and writing skills of the students.
• Students get access to wide range of books and resources essential for reference, knowledge, learning and entertainment. Therefore they can choose from diverse books as per their own interest and learning purpose.
• School libraries encourage students for independent learning and help them explore their interests.
• Libraries are essential for the educational and personal development of the students. It impacts positively on the academic performance and achievements of the students.
• Besides assisting teachers in research and supporting the students in their studies, libraries help in developing reading habits and provide information and knowledge to enrich learning experience. Libraries encourage fiction reading that helps students develop habit of reading for pleasure and enhances students’ intellectual, cultural, artistic and emotional growth.
• Library is an appropriate place for the students to study and research without any disturbance. It also provides the perfect environment for students to read for pleasure. Reading is important for the overall growth and mental development of the students.
• Books can be borrowed for further reading to get in depth knowledge on subjects of interest or simply to enjoy reading. There are general knowledge books that students can read to develop their mind. Reading is a good habit that boosts confidence in students.
• Students can take reference from the books and resources to complete their school projects and assignments. They can refer books to make notes for learning and to prepare for exams.

The purpose of school libraries is to support students in learning process. Not only students but libraries also facilitate teachers with access to relevant sources and information for reference and research. Library staff collaborates with teachers to plan, implement and evaluate study programs that will ensure students acquire necessary skills to compete and progress in this fast paced world. Libraries are important part of every educational institute as they provide the right support to students and teachers. However education and library go hand in hand and are inseparable. Library is the essential leap in the development of literacy provided to students in classrooms.

Long Essay on Library and Its Uses – Essay 5 (600 words)

Library is the collection of books and sources of information made accessible to people for borrowing or reference purpose. The collection of libraries can include books, magazines, newspapers, films, audios, DVDs, maps, manuscripts, e-books and various other formats. Library is organized and maintained by individual, institution or public body. Public and institutional libraries provide their collection of resources and services to people who need material they cannot otherwise have access to. Those who require help for their research can seek the same from the librarian.

A personal library is the one owned by an individual with adequate means. Such libraries are created as per the knowledge and interest of person. Thus public library is open for all to cater to the interest and taste of all people and contains books on diverse subjects. An institutional library refers to a library that belongs to an institution such as school, college, university or a club, etc. Such library is open to the members of community and caters to their needs and interest.

• Libraries play a vital role in imparting knowledge. Libraries help in learning and expansion of knowledge. Therefore it develops the habit of reading and boosts the thirst for more and more knowledge. It adds to what an individual has already learnt and leads to his personal growth and development in life.
• Libraries are especially essential for people who cannot afford costly books and resources for reading and acquiring information. They are the ones who truly understand the value and importance of library.
• Libraries do not only provide resources but also offer service by professional librarians who are experts at searching, organizing and interpreting information needs.
• Libraries provide virtual space for individual and group studies. They also facilitate access to digital resources and internet.
• Modern libraries are extending services by providing material accessible by digital media. Librarians provide assistance in navigating and also analysing large amount of information through digital resources.
• Library is the place with absolute silence where one can concentrate on reading. Even though it is open for all people the basic rule for all those who enter the library is to read peacefully and also the maintain silence.
• People who love reading create their own private libraries. Such ambiance at home has a positive impact on the members of the family. However it helps in developing reading habit in children and contributes to their growth and development. It broadens the outlook of the people.

Uses of School Libraries

• Education and libraries go hand in hand. Libraries create and provide flexible learning space and environment. School library is essential to support teaching and learning process.
• Facilitates the work of teachers by providing access to various curriculum resources and information. Therefore it equips students with skills vital to succeed in this competitive world. It encourages students to read quality fiction to develop the habit of reading for pleasure and enhances social, cultural, artistic and emotional growth.
• School libraries and the study programs incorporated by librarians, teachers and administrators cater to the educational growth and also development of the students.
• School libraries have a positive impact on the students’ academic performance. The students with access to well supported libraries with professional services perform and score better regardless of their socio-economic status.

Any kind of library is an asset to our community. However it is the leap in advancement of knowledge and well-being of a person. Reading is always the good habit. Visiting the library and reading can be the best way to spend leisure time and to learn something new. Libraries play important role in progress and development of the society. Thus, library is a valuable resource for the society.

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Essay Samples on Library

The impact of library over internet on student's success.

This is my first semester at Rowan College South Jersey (RCSJ). In the short frame of time I have spent in this campus I was able to find my favorite place. Of all the places our campus has, the library is my favorite place to...

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 library Modernization And Usage Of Technology In Education

Introduction In this day and age where technology is more advanced than ever, it is expected that most tasks that used to be tedious can now be automated or digitized to make life easier for both user and client. This, however, is not the case...

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Book Report On The Library Of Babel By Jorge Luis Borges

The Library of Babel by the author Jorge Luis Borges brings a short story about an unusual library and the man who works there. This library has a unique aspect that makes different from the normal libraries. Surrounded by countless gibberish books and unknown librarian,...

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Role of Library Resources in Higher Education

Abstract There is no other friend as a book to any individual. Library is the place where we can have good scope of getting huge collections of books. The role of library is a vital role from primary school to higher education and even after...

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Developing The Database For Materials Library

The article, "Fake fur, fruit leather, and ferrofluids: Challenges to managing a materials library in the Middle East", by Richard Lombard and Amy Andreas address the complexity of developing and running a Materials Library (ML) in Middle East. Due to the geographically sensitive location of...

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The Purpose Of Libraries Nowadays

In today's society, people often associate libraries with words such as “boring”, “dull” “unnecessary”. They often think, “Why bother visiting the library when there is Google, right?” Instantly at our fingertips, Google is a time efficient research tool, while on the other hand, one has...

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Almost 50 librarians from education, legal, university colleges, industry and government libraries took part in our Melbourne National Liberty User Group Conference and Masterclass in late August with some taking the opportunity to visit the MCC library. They all had a great time and we...

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The Role Of Managers/Supervisors In The Success Of The Library Functioning

“Many libraries operate in a placid-clustered environment, which is where goals are primarily long term, but the organization must quickly adjust the goals when external factors warrant”. Management/supervisory roles add value to the organization’s goals by successfully making sure their branch provides external factors to...

Best topics on Library

1. The Impact Of Library Over Internet On Student’s Success

2.  library Modernization And Usage Of Technology In Education

3. Book Report On The Library Of Babel By Jorge Luis Borges

4. Role of Library Resources in Higher Education

5. Developing The Database For Materials Library

6. The Purpose Of Libraries Nowadays

7. How To Succeed As A Solo Librarian

8. The Role Of Managers/Supervisors In The Success Of The Library Functioning

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Essay on Library and its uses | Library and its uses Essay for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on Library and its uses: Library. All we can picture hearing this word is a gloomy atmosphere with people wearing glasses and their noses buried in a book. But in actuality, the library is much more than just that. It is a sanitizing agent for the mind that is deprived from peace and knowledge.

To help students for writing an essay on the topic ‘Library and its uses,’ we have presented them with long and short essay samples. Along with this, we will also provide ten pointers on the theme that will work as guidance.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more

Long and Short Essays on Library and its uses for Students and Kids in English

We are providing an extended Essay on Library and its uses of 400-500 words and a short essay of 100 – 150 words on the topic Library and its uses.

Long Essay on Library and its uses in English 500 words

Library and its uses essay is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

“A Library is a treasure for those who can read, but it is a mother lode of peace for those who can understand”

A Library is a place where books are stored and maintained. That’s the most basic definition. But is it just that? Only a person who knows how to love reading can know what importance a library holds. It is filled with racks and racks of books on a zillion different topics, just waiting to be opened and accessed. A Library is the best traditional form of knowledge you will ever come across.

There may be many different uses of a library. Children use it to gain information on their studies and develop habits. Professionals use it to receive more knowledge of their profession. Public officials use it for research. Libraries provide information that are imminently useful at the correct place and time. You have a world of knowledge at your disposal. Libraries are the one that records our culture and preserves them to be reopened and cherished time and again. Our cultures wouldn’t have a place to stay if it wasn’t for the libraries and their dusty racks filled with books.

The most selfless thing a library does is shape the minds of a country’s future. It inculcates a habit of reading and researching in young minds which is a forgotten but extremely useful habit in today’s digitized lives. It is a sea of the intellect for people who want peace as the library has an atmosphere that allows you to concentrate at your level best.

It is also a good economical option for people who cannot afford to buy books and they can borrow them at their own convenience. The first library was the library of Ashurbanipal in 7th Century BC containing a trove of some 30000 cuneiform tablets organized according to subjects. We have come a long way from those tablets to books which can be easily found due to digitalization of the world.

It is said that the library is a hospital for the mind. Why? That is because of the beautiful effects on psychology that it impacts on us. Seating in the library shuts us down from the outside world offering us an atmosphere of complete tranquility. In today’s world, when people resort to other resources for gaining peace or gaining closure, A library is a positive approach to self-development.

Some people are even fond of the musty smell of old books and the peacefulness it brings along with it. The best benefit of a library is becoming a voracious reader as a person who is well-read can write well too. Plus, this is just the right atmosphere that is needed for studying and assimilating facts about any topic. It is often said and accepted that books are the best friends that one can forever have, and a Library is the only place that offers them without any hesitation.

Short Essay on Library and its uses in English 150 words

Library and its uses essay is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

A Library is a place most of us believe to be just for boring people who are sitting alone reading books. A Library is a place where many books are stored according to different subject matter.

A Library has plenty of uses. A student can read and gain knowledge. Researchers can gain reliable content for their work. People can have peaceful place where they can concentrate on their work. Thus, Library is not just a place where books are kept, but it’s a place where minds and personalities are shaped. It is a place where knowledge has no limits.

The People who take care of the library are the librarians. They keep everything in order so people do not have any problem for accessing a single book from a thousand others.  Thus, nothing is more important than an unread library as it is filled unlimited potential. The atmosphere of the library soothes us automatically without much efforts.

Thus, these are the sample of the long and short essay on this topic. You can access more Essay Writing on this given topic and many others.

10 Lines on Essay on Library and its uses in English

• Library is a place where books are kept according to the different subject matters.
• Library is a place where unlimited knowledge is just waiting to be found.
• The person in charge of a Library is called a ‘Librarian’.
• The role of the librarian is to keep everything in order for the person who wants to gain knowledge from books.
• Libraries are a forgotten source of knowledge today due to internet, but they still are equally important.
• They are used in innumerable ways by different members of the society.
• The digitalization of the world has made it easy to access books.
• A Library is a house of different characters that can influence your lives.
• A library is far from the boring atmosphere of that the world depicts it to be.
• A library is the awakening of soul due to the way of habits of voracious reading.

FAQ’s on Essay on Library and its uses

Question 1. What is the meaning of Library?

Answer: Library is the meaning of a place where books are kept to in a certain order to be accessed. It is a place where the best knowledge is achieved from books.

Question 2. When was the library originated?

Answer: The first library was dated back to 2600 BC in the temple rooms of Sumer. It was scripted in tablets at the time.

Question 3. How many libraries are there in the world?

Answer: According to the IFLA world reports, there are 350000 Libraries in the world on a rough estimate.

Question 4. Why is Library the most beneficial?

Answer: Library is the most beneficial as it inculcates the habit of reading in a person and reading is the best habit a person can have.

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The Complicated Role of the Modern Public Library

Something for everyone.

A homeless patron, Allen Barkovich, sits in the Woodmere Branch of the Traverse Area District Library in Michigan, 2013.

—AP Photo / Traverse City Record-Eagle , Keith King

There aren’t many truly public places left in America. Most of our shared spaces require money or a certain social status to access. Malls exist to sell people things. Museums discourage loiterers. Coffee shops expect patrons to purchase a drink or snack if they want to enjoy the premises.

Pratt Library President and CEO Heidi Daniel reads at story time.

—Enoch Pratt Free Library

Pima County Health Department Library Nurse Daniel Lopez takes the blood pressure of homeless man Jim Truitt at the Main Joel D. Valdez Pima County Public Library in Tucson, Arizona.

—© Pima County Public Library

One place, though, remains open to everybody. The public library requires nothing of its visitors: no purchases, no membership fees, no dress code. You can stay all day, and you don’t have to buy anything. You don’t need money or a library card to access a multitude of on-site resources that includes books, e-books and magazines, job-hunting assistance, computer stations, free Wi-Fi, and much more. And the library will never share or sell your personal data.

In a country riven by racial, ethnic, political, and socioeconomic divides, libraries still welcome everyone. “We are open spaces,” says Susan Benton, the president and CEO of the Urban Libraries Council, whose members include public-library systems serving cities large and small across the United States. “We certainly are without judgment about anybody’s characteristics.”

That commitment to inclusivity, along with a persistent ability to adapt to changing times, has kept public libraries vital in an era of divisive politics and disruptive technological change. But it has also put pressure on them to be all things to all people, and to meet a vast range of social needs without correspondingly vast budgets. These days, a branch librarian might run story hour in the morning, assist with a research project at lunchtime, and in the afternoon administer life-saving medical aid to a patron who’s overdosed on the premises.

If the idea of libraries as frontline responders in the opioid crisis sounds far-fetched, look no further than the Denver Public Library. In February 2017, a twenty-five-year-old man suffered a fatal overdose in one of its bathrooms. That prompted the library to lay in a supply of Narcan, a drug used to counteract opioid overdoses. Other libraries, including the San Francisco Public Library, have followed suit and begun to stock the life-saving drug.

Such interventions indicate the expanded role our public libraries now play in a fraying social network. Eric Klinenberg, a sociologist based at New York University, spent a year doing ethnographic research in New York City library branches for his latest book,  Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life . Klinenberg borrowed the title from Andrew Carnegie, the Gilded Age industrialist-turned-philanthropist who funded some three thousand public libraries—“palaces for the people”—in the United States and abroad.

In an update of Carnegie’s idea, Klinenberg describes public libraries as “social infrastructure.” That means “the physical spaces and organizations that shape the way people interact,” he wrote in a 2018 op-ed in the  New York Times . “Libraries don’t just provide free access to books and other cultural materials, they also offer things like companionship for older adults, de facto childcare for busy parents, language instruction for immigrants and welcoming public spaces for the poor, the homeless and young people.”

Klinenberg’s book is just one of a series of recent high-profile tributes to America’s public libraries. The  New Yorker  writer Susan Orlean’s most recent book, called simply  The Library Book , begins with a personal love song to the subject before diving into the rich, troubled history of the Los Angeles Public Library and its iconic building in downtown L.A. In 2014, the photographer Robert Dawson published a book-length photographic essay that lovingly documents the astonishing variety of the seventeen thousand or so public libraries across the United States, from one-room shacks in the tiniest of towns to branches in strip malls to breathtaking, Carnegie-era book palaces in center cities. And a forthcoming NEH-funded documentary,  Free for All: Inside the Public Library , brings to life some of the history and personalities that have shaped this major force for public good.

All of these projects confirm how libraries have proved over and over again, through decades of rapid change and predictions of obsolescence, that they remain essential to Americans’ lives. In an era of extreme weather events and other disasters, they’re becoming even more necessary.

The journalist Deborah Fallows and her husband, James Fallows, road-tripped across the country to report their 2018 book  Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America , in which public libraries play a starring role. “In Ferguson, Missouri, the public library stayed open when the schools were closed after the riots, to offer the kids a safe place and even classes taught by volunteers,” Deborah Fallows wrote in a May 2019 dispatch for the  Atlantic . “After the hurricanes in Houston, some library websites were immediately up and running, announcing that they were open for business. After Hurricane Sandy, some libraries in New Jersey became places of refuge. And in the Queens Library’s Far Rockaway branch, which didn’t have heat or light, the librarians set up shop in the parking lot to continue children’s story hours.”

Beyond Books

There are limits to the civic responsibilities public libraries can shoulder. “We’re not the police, we’re not social workers,” says Monique le Conge Ziesenhenne, the director of the Palo Alto City Library system in Silicon Valley and the 2018–19 president of the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association. “We do provide an important thread to a community’s well-being and health.”

In calmer times, public library systems offer a staggering array of programming that goes well beyond the books-and-story-time model many of us remember from our childhoods.

Ziesenhenne rattles off a list of some of Palo Alto’s offerings: a seed-lending library, home-brewing tutorials, a “Knack 4 Knitting” club, bilingual story hours, programs designed to help immigrants learn how to live in the United States. Keeping up with a national trend, the library recently created a makerspace with 3-D printers. In July, one branch hosted a workshop on how to use “graywater” from inside a house to sustain native-plant landscaping in the yard.

The list goes on and on. There’s something for almost everyone at the local library, whether you’re a parent who needs literacy support for your preschooler, an immigrant working on language skills or bureaucratic forms, a mystery fan in search of the latest whodunit by a favorite author, or someone experiencing homelessness who needs assistance with social services or access to a computer and the Internet.

Or you could just check out a book, as generations of library patrons have done before you. As extra-literary programs and digital offerings have expanded, the codex has not faded away. “We are still crazy busy with the basic printed materials,” Ziesenhenne says. “In Silicon Valley you would not necessarily expect that, but it’s absolutely true.”

Being located at the wealthy epicenter of the tech revolution doesn’t mean that the library has bottomless funds, though. Like most libraries, “we never have enough money for what we want to do,” Ziesenhenne says.

Even as print thrives, public librarians everywhere spend a lot of time wrangling with the great digital shift and how to adapt to it. In Palo Alto and elsewhere, they’re seeing an increase in the use of digital content as patrons become more familiar with how to use streaming media.

To keep up with changing technology and user expectations, public libraries have invested in more computer terminals and Wi-Fi capability. They have upgraded and expanded facilities to provide more outlets, meeting rooms, study spaces, and seating that patrons can use for extended periods of time as they take advantage of free Wi-Fi.

New, bigger, brighter coworking spaces see high usage among millennials, according to Ziesenhenne. “We are the original sharing economy, I like to say.”

The explosion of information online hasn’t sidelined librarians. It’s only made them more essential at a time when too few of us know how to distinguish real news from the fake variety. “We’ve worked very hard to think about media and how information is presented and ways we can equip people going forward to look for clues on a website,” including asking how old the content is and who’s providing it, Ziesenhenne says.

Librarians have an advantage in making themselves heard through the noise and confusion: Along with nurses and firefighters, they’re among the few groups and institutions Americans still trust, according to Lee Rainie, director of Internet and technology research at the Pew Research Center.

From 2011 until 2016, Pew did a number of deep-dive studies of public libraries, work funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In those surveys, researchers found that trust in librarians remained high because of their proven ability to curate and share reliable knowledge. “That’s become one of the more precious skills in a world where gaming the information ecosystem is an everyday reality,” Rainie says.

Pew’s library research generated other findings that grabbed media attention: Millennials grew up loving libraries and continue to support and make use of them, Rainie says. Now that they have families of their own, they’ve remained loyal. Having a child under the age of six is the biggest predictor of library use, Rainie adds; parents of young children like the family-friendly programs libraries run.

Pew’s research also found that families often see libraries as sanctuaries. “They were zones of peace, sometimes, in neighborhoods and communities where that was a precious commodity,” notes Rainie.

Formerly homeless high school student, Tinesheia Howard studies at the library of Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois.

—AP Photo / Seth Perlman, 2008

For many teens and adults, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds or without computer access at home, the local branch also functions as an on-ramp to the Internet. “Libraries have rebranded themselves as tech hubs without a lot of fanfare,” he says. They allow customers to learn and experiment with new digital resources such as 3-D printers without having to invest in them at home. “People treat libraries as petting zoos for new technology,” as Rainie puts it.

All of those activities require staff time and/or money. As they decide where to spend finite resources, libraries rely on survey data and on detailed conversations with their communities to keep content and programming up to date and adjust what they offer as times and needs change. Library staffers often act as community liaisons even when they’re not on duty, bringing back grassroots knowledge that helps the library add or adapt services in response.

“The library of my youth made all the rules,” says Patrick Losinski, CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Library in Ohio. The mantra of today’s library, he says, is: How do you meet people where they want to be?

To get answers, the Columbus library recently hired a survey firm to gather information on patrons’ use of and views on the library. The results revealed a virtual town square of activity, with visitors dropping by to check out and return books (41 percent), bring their kids to play area (13 percent), do research (14 percent), read and relax (13 percent), study (9 percent), and use Wi-Fi, computers, printers, or copiers (about 27 percent combined). “Our customers also checked out more than fifteen million items last year, so we’re still a library,” Losinski says.

The survey confirmed that the community views its library as a force for social good. Ninety-one percent of respondents said helping kids by working more closely with schools should be one of the library’s top priorities; 50 percent said that should be its highest priority. Losinski reports that over 50 percent of the area’s youngsters do not have the literacy skill set they need for kindergarten, including basics such as how to hold a book and how to pronounce words they encounter.

Being able to read well gives kids a leg up in schooling and in life, but many children do not have the resources—books at home, parents with time and literacy skills and good child care—to help them master that skill. Public libraries around the country are stepping up to the challenge.

Children participate in 37,000 sessions a year in the Columbus library’s reading-buddies program, which helps kids prepare for a reading-proficiency test in third grade. In Los Angeles County, libraries have recast traditional story time as “school readiness time” and rebranded bookmobiles as “Reading Machines” to visit day care centers and bring parenting-support strategies out into the community.

“Libraries are not about books, they’re about people,” says Skye Patrick, who since 2016 has been the director of the Los Angeles County Library system. When Library Journal named Patrick its Librarian of the Year for 2019, it saluted her “efforts to eliminate barriers and increase access to services for her residents.”

Compton Library holds a Microsoft Digi Camp for students in 2018.

—Los Angeles County Library System

“Equity means different things for different people,” Patrick says. “We wanted to challenge our staff to have a better awareness both of the experience of their colleagues and the experience of their customers.”

Patrick’s strategy to improve library access included putting in place a program called iCount, which provides tools and training for supervisors and staff on how to recognize inherent biases in programs and services. Thinking hard about equity and a wide range of patron experiences and needs is a must for L.A. County’s librarians, who work in one of the four largest and most diverse public library systems in North America. (The other three are the Toronto Public Library, the New York Public Library, and the Los Angeles Public Library system that serves the city of L.A.) The county has 86 library facilities (plus three bookmobiles) that collectively serve about 3.4 million residents; the system covers some 3,000 square miles and 49 cities.

Statistics for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2018, give a sense of the scale at which it operates: annual circulation—10,857,015; e-book circulation—1,184,289; reference and information questions handled—5,908,474; number of Wi-Fi sessions—4,388,244.

Patrick is no stranger to large library systems; she ran the Broward County Library in Florida before she took her current job. In her experience, there is no workable one-system-fits-all model for public libraries. When she arrived in L.A. County, she set up a listening tour to meet with some of the county’s 3.4 million residents to hear what they wanted from their library.

“I called it a community visioning system, because I wanted the community to actively participate in the creation of the library they needed,” she says. One of the biggest takeaways: “a resounding desire for more hours.” Along with money constraints, “that’s always the issue for every library,” she says.

In response, the system added fifteen thousand more public service hours with some creative strategies that included the use of self-checkout technology, staggered staff schedules, and an additional 1 to 4 service hours per branch per week. “It was low-hanging fruit for us, and it garnered some true goodwill from the community,” Patrick says.

Other requests, such as a kindergarten class’s request to install slides and serve ice cream every day, weren’t feasible—“although we did think about it!” Patrick says. But “based on that response, they associated us with fun, and that’s a big win.” The kids didn’t see the library as stuffy and rule-bound.

Beyond being fun, libraries create sanctuaries for patrons who have few safe spaces in their lives. “There’s a tremendous amount of comfort and safety for people experiencing mental health issues,” Patrick says. “When they’re here, they’re not on the street.”

That inclusivity brings challenges. Some are minor, as when patrons wash up in library bathrooms because they’ve been living on the streets without access to personal-hygiene essentials. But if mental illness is at work, a library user may need a lot more than a place to clean up.

The vast majority of library users do not represent a danger to other patrons or staff, but libraries’ openness carries risks. Librarians have been threatened or killed in the course of doing their jobs. In January 2019, while getting ready for a book sale, the director of the Fort Myers Beach library in Florida was targeted and stabbed to death by a homeless man. A month earlier, in December 2018, the supervisor of the North Natomas branch of the Sacramento Public Library was shot to death in her car in the library’s parking lot by a man she had banned from the library for bad behavior. Her widower wrote an op-ed in  American Libraries  magazine to call attention to the dangers that library workers face. But security measures like metal detectors or monitoring systems don’t align well with libraries’ commitment to maintaining patron privacy and creating truly open spaces.

Pew’s Lee Rainie describes libraries as “early warning systems for broad cultural phenomena.” Those phenomena can be positive, such as the thirst to experiment with new technology and the desire to broaden access to good information and social services. But they can also be negative. Tensions between different social groups can arise when people who otherwise rarely interact rub elbows at the library.

Skye Patrick identifies a fracture point between what she calls “our two customer bases.” Some patrons ask for more security at library branches or express dismay about disruptions created by homelessness. Her job involves trying to educate one group about the rights of the other. The bottom line for all patrons: “As long as they are adhering to our code of customer expectations, they have the right to use the library,” she says.

The L.A. County bureaucracy, of which the library is a part, can help smooth the way for the disenfranchised. For instance, the Department of Social Services will provide an address for homeless patrons to use in order to get a library card. The library also offers fine-free cards for young people under 21, eliminating one common barrier to full access. (The system hasn’t dispensed with fines altogether yet, although like many libraries it is moving away from fines and has held amnesty periods in which patrons can return overdue materials without penalty.)

Librarians have long helped users navigate life challenges like finding a job, studying for an exam, or applying to school. More and more they play a crucial role in connecting patrons in need of social or mental health services with relevant agencies. “Our branch staff has been trained to at least point to the kinds of services that are available,” Patrick says.

Along with a growing number of libraries, it joined forces with the mental health department to bring social workers on-site to work with patrons in need. Beyond such partnerships with other county agencies, the Los Angeles County Library focuses on fostering what Skye Patrick calls “protective factors”: meaningful social connections, positive parent-child interactions, positive cultural identity, literacy support, and school readiness.

“Time will tell, but I feel really confident that it’s working,” Patrick says, adding that library staff also feel safer with that extra support in place. “That does not mean it solves everything.” Even an institution as resourceful, flexible, and resilient as the public library has its limits.

Jennifer Howard is a writer based in Washington, D.C. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post , the Chronicle of Higher Education , the Times Literary Supplement , Bookforum , VQR , and elsewhere.

Funding information

The National Endowment for the Humanities has had long and productive partnerships with libraries of all kinds across the country: public libraries, research libraries, specialized libraries and collections, university libraries, and school libraries. NEH library projects—from infrastructure to outreach—help these vital institutions stay current and inclusive.

In 2018, NEH launched a new program for Infrastructure and Capacity-Building Challenge Grants to support brick-and-mortar library projects as well as other efforts to strengthen the institutional base for the humanities in America. For example, the Hartford Public Library in Michigan received a 2019 NEH grant of $400,000 to construct a new library and community center, making available cultural and educational resources for the southwest area of the state.

Free for All: Inside the Public Library  is an upcoming documentary on the history of the public library in America. Video Veracity received $540,000 from NEH to plan and produce the film, which looks at past and current uses of libraries and examines the library’s role in American democracy.

With an NEH grant of $315,000 , the University of California, San Francisco, Library, collaborating with San Francisco Public Library and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society, will digitize 150,000 pages from 49 archival collections related to the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the Bay Area and make them accessible online.

NEH has awarded $1,250,000 to the Digital Public Library of America , an online resource for materials in America’s libraries, archives, and museums. From its launch in 2013, the all-digital library has grown from 2.4 million items in its collection to more than 35 million images, texts, videos, and sounds.

The Newberry Library in Chicago has received 183 grants from NEH since 1970 , totaling $53,698,333 to support collection building, exhibitions, research, workshops and institutes for teachers, and public programming. This year, with a $200,000 NEH grant , the library offers a series of citywide public programs and digital resources exploring the history of the July 1919 Chicago race riots.

Since 1970, the American Library Association has received 66 NEH grants , totaling $32,006,701 for projects ranging from bookshelf programs such as Muslim Journeys to traveling exhibits on topics such as the Dust Bowl and the African-American baseball experience, to reading and discussion series such as the Federal Writers Project and the Columbian Quincentenary. In 2018, ALA received an NEH grant of $397,255 to conduct the Great Stories Club, a nationwide program for at-risk teens on themes of empathy, heroism, and marginalization.

Republication statement

The text of this article is available for unedited republication, free of charge, using the following credit: “Originally published as “Something for Everyone” in the fall 2019 issue of  Humanities  magazine, a publication of the National Endowment for the Humanities.” Please notify us at  @email  if you are republishing it or have any questions.

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On Libraries

The essay "On Libraries" by Oliver Sacks reflects on the author's lifelong love for libraries and the profound impact they had on his intellectual development. Sacks, a renowned neurologist and author, shares his personal experiences with various libraries and highlights the transformative role they played in shaping his interests, education, and sense of community. The essay spans Sacks' childhood library, local public library, university libraries in Oxford, and libraries in New York City. He emphasizes the freedom, joy, and serendipity of exploring shelves filled with books and the unique atmosphere of libraries.

Sacks recounts his early fascination with the diverse collection of books in his family's oak-paneled library, where he discovered a wide range of literary treasures. His love for reading and learning led him to explore libraries beyond his home, such as the Willesden Public Library, which became his true education ground. Throughout his life, Sacks found solace and inspiration in various libraries, including those at St. Paul’s School, the Science Museum, Oxford, and the Queen’s College. 

The essay also touches on the changing dynamics of libraries in the 1990s, with the increasing reliance on digital technology. Sacks observes a shift in student behavior as they began accessing information through computers rather than exploring physical bookshelves. This transition led to the disposal of books in some libraries, a development that deeply saddened Sacks, who felt it was a loss of centuries of knowledge.

Comprehensive Analysis:

• Themes and Motifs:

●      Intellectual Freedom: Sacks celebrates the intellectual freedom he found in libraries, where he could explore diverse subjects and follow his own interests.

●      Community and Camaraderie : The essay emphasizes the sense of community and intimacy within libraries, where readers share a common quest for knowledge.

●      Shift in Technology: Sacks reflects on the changing landscape of libraries with the advent of computers, highlighting the shift from physical books to digital access.

• Role of Libraries in Sacks' Life:

●      Childhood Influence: Sacks fondly recalls his childhood library, where he developed a passion for reading and found inspiration in the works of various authors.

●      Educational Haven: Libraries, such as the Willesden Public Library and Queen’s College library, provided Sacks with education beyond formal schooling, allowing him to pursue his interests in sciences and literature.

●      Historical Exploration: Sacks delves into the historical and rare collections of books, emphasizing the significance of physical books and the unique experience of handling ancient volumes.

• Loss of Physical Books:

●      Digital Transition: The essay highlights a significant shift in the 1990s, where students began relying on computers for information rather than exploring physical bookshelves.

●      Sentimental Value: Sacks expresses deep sadness at the disposal of physical books in libraries, emphasizing the irreplaceable qualities of a physical book, including its look, smell, and heft.

●      Cultural Impact: The disposal of books is portrayed as a crime against centuries of knowledge, reflecting Sacks' concern for the cultural and historical significance of physical libraries.

• Personal Reflections:

●      Autobiographical Elements: Sacks weaves his personal experiences into the narrative, providing insight into his early life, education, and career.

●      Author's Relationship with Libraries: The essay serves as a testament to Sacks' lifelong connection with libraries and their profound influence on his intellectual and personal development.

In conclusion, "On Libraries" is a poignant exploration of the role of libraries in shaping Oliver Sacks' life, education, and intellectual pursuits. It delves into the evolving nature of libraries and the challenges posed by the digital age while expressing a deep appreciation for the tangible and sentimental qualities of physical books.

 Answer the following questions. 

a. Where could the author be found when he was late for lunch or dinner?

●      The author could be found absorbed in a book in the library when he was late for lunch or dinner.

b. What are his first memories?

●      His first memories include books and his home library, a large oak-paneled room with bookcases and a writing table.

c. Why did he dislike school?

●      He disliked school because he preferred active learning and exploring topics that interested him rather than passive instruction in a classroom setting.

d. What did he feel about at the library?

●      He felt a sense of freedom and joy at the library, being able to explore thousands of books, roam the shelves, and enjoy the quiet companionship of other readers. It was a place where he could be himself. 

e. Why was he so biased about sciences especially astronomy and chemistry?

●       He became biased towards sciences, especially astronomy and chemistry, due to his growing interest and desire to learn more in these fields.

f. Why did he become so fascinated by Hook? 

●      He became fascinated by Hook's wit, genius for improvisation, and the five hundreds of operas he composed on the spot , leading him to write a biography or "case-history" of him.

g. Describe library at the Queen’s College. 

●      The library at the Queen's College was a magnificent building designed by Wren, with vast underground holdings and ancient books like Gesner's illustrated animal work and Darwin's original editions. It was here he discovered 17th and 18th-century literature and gained a sense of history and language.

h. Why did the students ignore the bookshelves in the 1990s? 

●      In the 1990s, students increasingly ignored the bookshelves and accessed information using computers.

●      The shift to digital technology led to a decline in students physically going to the shelves, as they found what they needed online.

i. Why was he horrified when he visited the library a couple of months ago? 

●       He was horrified when he visited the library because he found the shelves sparsely occupied, with most books thrown out due to their shift to digitalization. He felt like centuries of knowledge were being lost, and he missed the feel, smell, and look of real books.

Reference to the context 

a. The author says, “I was not a good pupil, but I was a good learner.” Justify it with the textual evidences. 

Although not excelling in a traditional school environment, the author exhibits strong evidence of being a highly capable and enthusiastic learner in his preferred setting — the library. To justify this, we can take the following examples:

1. He mentions that he got his initial and real education through libraries.

2. He loved to spend days and nights actively exploring libraries to learn.

3. He followed his own learning paths, ranging from science and medicine to literature and music, driven by intrinsic motivation.

4. He learned to write essays and other literature using books and knowledge from libraries.

b. A proverb says, "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library." Does this proverb apply in the essay? Explain. 

The proverb "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library" perfectly mirrors the author's experience and resonates throughout the essay. He describes libraries as his happiest places, spaces for intellectual freedom, self-discovery, and serendipitous encounters with knowledge. His vivid descriptions of libraries as:

●      Havens of freedom: He felt unconstrained to explore any subject, finding "thousands, tens of thousands, of books" at his fingertips.

●      Sources of personal growth: He attributes his education and love of language to libraries, discovering "a real education" and gaining a "sense of history and my own language."

●      Community spaces: He found connection and shared experience in libraries, noting the "quiet companionship of other readers" and casual conversations sparking "friendships."

Therefore, the proverb aptly captures the joy and fulfillment the author found in exploring libraries, making it a fitting description of his experience.

c. Are there any other services that you would like to see added to the library?

Additional Services for Libraries:

●      Incorporating Technology: Offer more resources for those who prefer digital formats, ensuring access to e-books, audiobooks, and online databases.

●      Community Engagement Programs : Introduce programs that encourage discussions, workshops, or seminars on diverse topics to enhance community involvement.

●      Special Collections or Archives: Expand collections to include more historical documents, manuscripts, or artifacts, allowing access to rare materials for research purposes.

●      Multi-purpose Spaces: Design areas for collaborative work, group discussions, or creative activities, accommodating diverse needs beyond traditional reading spaces.

●      Language and Literacy Programs: Provide language learning resources, literacy support, and programs for non-native speakers or individuals with literacy challenges.

These additions could enhance the library experience, catering to a broader audience and fostering a deeper connection between the community and the library's resources.

The Public Library: A Photographic Love Letter to Humanity’s Greatest Sanctuary of Knowledge, Freedom, and Democracy

By maria popova.

As the daughter of a formally trained librarian and an enormous lover of, collaborator with , and supporter of public libraries (you may have noticed I always include a public library link for books I write about; I also re-donate a portion of Brain Pickings donations to the New York Public Library each year) I was instantly enamored with The Public Library: A Photographic Essay ( public library ) by photographer Robert Dawson — at once a love letter and a lament eighteen years in the making, a wistful yet hopeful reminder of just what’s at stake if we let the greatest bastion of public knowledge humanity has ever known slip into the neglected corner of cultural priorities. Alongside Dawson’s beautiful photographs are short reflections on the subject by such celebrated minds as Isaac Asimov , Anne Lamott , and E.B. White . From architectural marvels to humble feats of human ingenuity, from the august reading room of the New York Public Library to the trailer-library at Death Valley National Park, braving the glaring sun at one of the hottest places on earth, from the extraordinary vaulted ceilings of LA’s Children’s Library to the small shack turned into a book memorial in the country’s only one-person town, the remarkable range reveals our elemental need for libraries — as sanctuaries of learning, as epicenters of community, as living records of civic identity, and above all as a timelier-than-ever testament that information and human knowledge belong to everybody; not to corporate monopolies or government agencies or ideological despots, but to the people.

In the foreword, the great Bill Moyers — who has long championed the power of reading and self-initiated education — echoes Ray Bradbury’s assertion that libraries are essential for democracy and writes:

The library is being reinvented in response to the explosion of information and knowledge, promiscuous budget cuts in the name of austerity, new technology, and changing needs. Who knows where the emerging new commons will take us? But Robert Dawson shows us in this collection what is at stake: when a library is open, no matter its size or shape, democracy is open, too.

Some years ago, I came across a wonderful effort by a librarian in the small city of Troy in Michigan, which had just opened its first public library. To get the children in the community excited about books and reading, Marguerite Hart reached out to some of the era’s most celebrated minds — writers, actors, senators — and asked them to write letters to the children of Troy, extolling the value of libraries and the joy of books. To her surprise, she got an astounding 91 responses. I spotlighted those letters — including ones from Dr. Seuss, Isaac Asimov, Neil Armstrong, and E.B. White — a few years ago and was delighted to see some of them included in Dawson’s book. Curiously, however, there appears to be a factual error: Dawson lists the city as Troy, New York, whereas in fact it was Troy, Michigan.

But no matter the human error, the heartening humanity of the letters speaks for itself:

One of the most beautiful reflections comes from the inimitable Anne Lamott , who celebrates her 60th birthday on April 10. Her poignant essay “Steinbeck Country” chronicles how Lamott and some friends — writers and artists from all over the West Coast — banded together to save the libraries at Salinas, one of California’s poorest communities, after the government had threatened to close them. This would’ve made Salinas the largest city in the United States to lose its libraries to budget cuts. Lamott writes:

A free public library is a revolutionary notion, and when people don’t have free access to books, then communities are like radios without batteries. You cut people off from essential sources of information — mythical, practical, linguistic, political — and you break them. You render them helpless in the face of political oppression.

Writers and actors poured in from all over. A poet drove nearly 200 miles from Sacramento. Another writer flew all day to get there. Lamott herself hitched a ride from the Bay Area with the celebrated Buddhist artist and teacher Jack Kornfield. The group staged a 24-hour “emergency read-in” to raise awareness — not just for libraries as cultural institutions, but also for the human capital that powered them. Lamott writes:

We were there to celebrate some of the rare intelligence capabilities that our country can actually be proud of — those of librarians. I see them as healers and magicians. Librarians can tease out of inarticulate individuals enough information about what they are after to lead them on to the path of connection. They are trail guides through the forest of shelves and aisles — you turn a person loose who has limited skills, and he’ll be walloped by the branches. But librarians match up readers with the right books. . . .

Ultimately, they managed to rally up enough media attention, which in turn garnered enough money to keep the library open. Lamott remembers:

A bunch of normally self-obsessed artist types came together to say to the people of Salinas: We care about your children, your stories, and your freedom. Something has gone so wrong in this country that needs to be fixed, and we care about that. Reading and books are medicine. Stories are written and told by and for people who have been broken, but who have risen up, or will rise, if attention is paid to them. Those people are you and us. Stories and truth are splints for the soul, and that makes today a sacred gathering. Now we were all saying: Pass it on.

In the afterword, Ann Patchett — a modern-day sage of writing and life — concludes with a plea so earnest, so urgent, and so deeply necessary:

Know this — if you love your library, use your library. Support libraries in your words and deeds. If you are fortunate enough to be able to buy your books, and you have your own computer with which to conduct research, and you’re not in search of a story hour for your children, then don’t forget about the members of your community who are like you but perhaps lack your resources — the ones who love to read, who long to learn, who need a place to go and sit and think. Make sure that in your good fortune you remember to support their quest for a better life. That’s what a library promises us, after all: a better life. And that’s what libraries have delivered.

The Public Library is absolutely wonderful in its entirety, at once an ode to the glory of our most democratic institutions and a culturally necessary prompt to defend them like we would defend our freedom to live, learn, and be — a freedom to which the library is our highest celebration.

Photographs © Robert Dawson courtesy of Princeton Architectural Press

UPDATE: See A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader — a collection of 121 letters to children by some of the most inspiring humans of our time about the transformative power of reading, with all proceeds benefiting the New York public library system.

— Published April 9, 2014 — https://www.themarginalian.org/2014/04/09/the-public-library-robert-dawson-book/ —

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‘Libraries, You Are My Heroes’: Readers Share Memories of a Favorite Haven

A photo essay celebrating the versatility of public libraries prompted an outpouring of enthusiasm from card-carrying book lovers.

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By Elisabeth Egan and Erica Ackerberg

When you publish a story about public libraries, you know you’re going to hear from people. As we showed in a recent photo essay, “ A Love Letter to Libraries, Long Overdue ,” these are communal spaces belonging to all of us, so it makes sense that readers would have strong feelings about them. If we published an article about your living room, you’d have thoughts too. And we’d want to hear them!

First, it must be said: Writers and editors tend to approach comment sections gingerly, the way a beleaguered parent might peek into a playroom, unsure of what to expect. Will we encounter silence? A melee? Jubilant harmony?

On the subject of libraries, the final scenario applies. Most readers who commented on the piece agreed that book borrowing is a good thing and that librarians are the versatile, resourceful and creative people we know them to be.

Of course, we heard from people who feel that their libraries are too loud and too crowded. There was an energetic debate about whether or not audiobooks stick with a reader as reliably as the printed word does; as always, the listeners won. Two librarians resisted the “shushing” stereotype. They had a point.

But overall, the 770 responses added up to a warm tidal wave of adoration for libraries and all they represent: freedom, independence, adventure, exploration, experimentation, ideas, ingenuity and so much more. A number of readers recalled getting dumped at their local branch on a summer morning and becoming bookworms out of sheer boredom (we see you, Gen X). People of all ages waxed poetic about going to the library with parents, grandparents, siblings, babysitters and teachers. We heard about first library cards, timely book recommendations, pandemic book deliveries, libraries as portals to another world, libraries as safe spaces, libraries with cats, libraries where readers fell in love.

We could go on. Instead we picked a few of our favorite comments and edited them for length and clarity. We present them here for your reading pleasure.

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Essay on Library and Its Uses

Long and short essay on library and its uses in english for children and students.

Library is the physical building or a room with the collection of books and resources accessible to a defined community. It consists of books and resources on diverse genres and subjects. Libraries are important for healthy development of society. Libraries provide valuable services to meet the needs of the people. Libraries also benefit the economy of our nation as people use them for research purposes and to improve their job skills.

Long and Short Essay on Library and Its Uses in English

Here are essays of varying lengths on Library and its uses to help you with the topic in your exams/school assignments. You can select any Library and Its Uses Essay according to your need:

Short Essay on Library and Its Uses – Essay 1 (200 words)

Library is a storehouse of books. It also provides various other sources of information for reading in its premises as well as borrowing for home. The collection of library can include books, manuscripts, magazines, periodicals, videos, audios, DVDs and various other formats. Wide range of books are stored in a library and well organized in book shelves.

It is not possible for an individual to have such a wide collection of books at home. One can get access to diverse genres of books and other resources in library. It shuns the need to buy expensive books and resources. If there were no libraries many students who love to read would have been deprived of reading mostly due to financial difficulties.

Library is an important part of every educational institute such as schools, colleges and universities. Such a library is open for students of the particular institute it forms a part of. It contains a wide range of resources vital for the students.

Libraries attract people to read and develop habit of reading and learning. It increases their thirst for reading and expands knowledge. Library is also essential for any kind of research on different subjects.

Thus, libraries are important for research, information, knowledge and pleasure of reading. Libraries provide perfect environment to enjoy read peacefully.

Essay on Library Uses and Importance – Essay 2 (300 words)

Introduction

Library is a place where there is huge collection of books and various other resources that are made accessible for reading and reference purpose. People of every age group can find resources such as books, magazines, periodicals, audios, videos and materials in other formats as per their reading interests and tastes.

Uses of Libraries

Library provides access to various books, materials, resources and digital media for research, information and knowledge. Libraries also provide services such as assistance in finding books of one’s interest which can be done with the help of librarians. Besides, they provide space and environment to facilitate individual or group studies and collaboration. Libraries are extending their services by providing access to digital means and services by librarians in navigating and assisting with various resources of information. Libraries are becoming a center where people can engage in learning, enjoy reading and explore their interest in different subjects.

Importance of Libraries

Libraries play a vital role in encouraging and promoting the process of learning and gaining knowledge. People who love reading can have access to a wide range of books and resources. Libraries provide educational resources to everyone. Reading improves social skills, knowledge, mental health, academic performance and offers numerous other benefits. Library is a common platform for people with diverse reading interests and capacities. People get an opportunity to learn and progress as per their interests and capabilities. Library is the best place to spend leisure time wisely that leads to the overall development and well-being of an individual.

Thus, libraries are important and have different uses for different individuals. Libraries cultivate reading habits and promote progress of knowledge. Library is a perfect place to indulge in the pleasure of reading and for researching. Nowadays, librarians provide complete assistance and guidance with researching and navigating information.

Essay on Pros and Cons of Library – Essay 3 (400 words)

Libraries are buildings filled with stacks of books and resources. Modern day libraries also consist of electronic resources. Libraries offer wealth of knowledge, resources, space and environment to discover the world of books and enjoy studying or just reading for pleasure. The benefits of libraries are countless as they play a vital role in helping people by providing access to information, knowledge and entertainment resources. However, they do have a downside too. Here we have discussed few pros and cons of libraries:

Pros of Libraries

• Virtual libraries provide immediate access to wide range of books and resources. Libraries provide materials in all formats such as books, periodicals, magazines, videos, audios and digital media. The resources are customized and tailored to meet the needs of learners’ community. The wide range of resources meets the need of diverse users with diverse needs.
• Whether in educational or public library people benefit from the assistance of librarians and staff members. There is head librarian in every library and a team of professional staff who helps people with queries and recommend books as per their interest.
• Libraries are always catalogued by trained staff. They are catalogued to meet the needs of the community. The catalogue is also entered and stored in computers so that it becomes easy for the users to search.
• Libraries have positive impact on the development of our society. They open a world of books and resources of information and knowledge to people for free.

Cons of Libraries

• Libraries require lot of staff and real estate to house various books and resources. It becomes really expensive to maintain libraries and the library staff. Since they are not seen as crucial, they are likely to bear budget cuts.
• Since a wide range of books and resources are to be maintained and updated in old libraries the useful resources may be limited due the time it takes to update. So, the libraries may not sometimes have access to the current information.
• Some limited edition books and journals from centuries ago may not be available in every library. People looking for such resources must visit traditional libraries for the same.

Some argue that there is technology to read online and do research so what is the need to visit library. Yet libraries have served the communities since centuries by providing original and quality resources. People who have the habit of visiting and using libraries understand the value and importance of libraries. In addition to it, there are people who love reading but cannot afford to buy many books and resources. They can get easy access to valuable resources in libraries.

Essay on School Library and Its Benefits for Students – Essay 4 (500 words)

School library is the library within the school where students, teachers and other staff members have access to books and other resources. The purpose of school library is to ensure equitable access to books, resources and information technology to all the members of the school. Over the history libraries have played essential role in imparting knowledge. They develop social, educational and cultural growth of the students.

School libraries are different from other public and private libraries as they mainly support and extend school curriculum. School libraries support students’ learning and have positive impact on students’ academic achievements. Teachers and students need library resources and services for knowledge and success. School library supports both teachers and students and is vital for teaching and learning process.

Benefits of School Library for Students

• School library supports students by providing various study materials and encouraging them to read. School library is an important source of knowledge for the students. Reading frequently in libraries improves vocabulary and develops reading and writing skills of the students.
• Students get access to wide range of books and resources essential for reference, knowledge, learning and entertainment. They can choose from diverse books as per their own interest and learning purpose.
• School libraries encourage students for independent learning and help them explore their interests.
• Libraries are essential for the educational and personal development of the students. It impacts positively on the academic performance and achievements of the students.
• Besides assisting teachers in research and supporting the students in their studies, libraries help in developing reading habits and provide information and knowledge to enrich learning experience. Libraries encourage fiction reading that helps students develop habit of reading for pleasure and enhances students’ intellectual, cultural, artistic and emotional growth.
• Library is an appropriate place for the students to study and research without any disturbance. It also provides the perfect environment for students to read for pleasure. Reading is important for the overall growth and mental development of the students.
• Books can be borrowed for further reading to get in depth knowledge on subjects of interest or simply to enjoy reading. There are general knowledge books that students can read to develop their mind. Reading is a good habit that boosts confidence in students.
• Students can take reference from the books and resources to complete their school projects and assignments. They can refer books to make notes for learning and to prepare for exams.

The purpose of school libraries is to support students in learning process. Not only students but libraries also facilitate teachers with access to relevant sources and information for reference and research. Library staff collaborates with teachers to plan, implement and evaluate study programs that will ensure students acquire necessary skills to compete and progress in this fast paced world. Libraries are important part of every educational institute as they provide the right support to students and teachers. Education and library go hand in hand and are inseparable. Library is the essential leap in the development of literacy provided to students in classrooms.

Long Essay on Library and Its Uses – Essay 5 (600 words)

Library is the collection of books and sources of information made accessible to people for borrowing or reference purpose. The collection of libraries can include books, magazines, newspapers, films, audios, DVDs, maps, manuscripts, e-books and various other formats. Library is organized and maintained by individual, institution or public body. Public and institutional libraries provide their collection of resources and services to people who need material they cannot otherwise have access to. Those who require help for their research can seek the same from the librarian.

A personal library is the one owned by an individual with adequate means. Such libraries are created as per the knowledge and interest of person. Public library is open for all to cater to the interest and taste of all people and contains books on diverse subjects. An institutional library refers to a library that belongs to an institution such as school, college, university or a club, etc. Such library is open to the members of community and caters to their needs and interest.

• Libraries play a vital role in imparting knowledge. Libraries help in learning and expansion of knowledge. It develops the habit of reading and boosts the thirst for more and more knowledge. It adds to what an individual has already learnt and leads to his personal growth and development in life.
• Libraries are especially essential for people who cannot afford costly books and resources for reading and acquiring information. They are the ones who truly understand the value and importance of library.
• Libraries do not only provide resources but also offer service by professional librarians who are experts at searching, organizing and interpreting information needs.
• Libraries provide virtual space for individual and group studies. They also facilitate access to digital resources and internet.
• Modern libraries are extending services by providing material accessible by digital media. Librarians provide assistance in navigating and analysing large amount of information through digital resources.
• Library is the place with absolute silence where one can concentrate on reading. Even though it is open for all people the basic rule for all those who enter the library is to read peacefully and maintain silence.
• People who love reading create their own private libraries. Such ambiance at home has a positive impact on the members of the family. It helps in developing reading habit in children and contributes to their growth and development. It broadens the outlook of the people.

Uses of School Libraries

• Education and libraries go hand in hand. Libraries create and provide flexible learning space and environment. School library is essential to support teaching and learning process.
• It facilitates the work of teachers by providing access to various curriculum resources and information. It equips students with skills vital to succeed in this competitive world. It encourages students to read quality fiction to develop the habit of reading for pleasure and enhances social, cultural, artistic and emotional growth.
• School libraries and the study programs incorporated by librarians, teachers and administrators cater to the educational growth and development of the students.
• School libraries have a positive impact on the students’ academic performance. The students with access to well supported libraries with professional services perform and score better regardless of their socio-economic status.

Any kind of library is an asset to our community. It is the leap in advancement of knowledge and well-being of a person. Reading is always the good habit. Visiting the library and reading can be the best way to spend leisure time and to learn something new. Libraries play important role in progress and development of the society. Thus, library is a valuable resource for the society.

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New College of Florida book purge: A horror story of secrecy, ineptitude and stupidity

I’m so old I can remember when the New College of Florida library had a card catalog, and every book had a little manila pocket where you could see the names of fabled student predecessors who had checked out the same volume.

It was a way to connect with scholars whose names had been passed along by reputation. For example, I once checked out a book that had been handled by Deborah Rabinowitz – the New College student who went on to appear in many ecology texts as the author of a famous essay on the seven types of ecological rarity. 

We also had the New College Library Association, which raised money to buy books. The Library Association exists no more: it is a casualty of being folded into the New College Foundation, which is now being subjected to an internal audit. (It really should be an independent external audit, but that’s another guest column.) 

By now you’ve probably heard about the hundreds of New College library books tossed in a dumpster and hauled away. You may have also heard and read the various explanations offered by the administration : some of the books were wet, this was all part of a normal routine process, etc.

More: New College of Florida library dean placed on administrative leave after book disposal

The most creative explanation was that it is illegal to either give away or sell books bought by the state. First, not all books in the library are purchased – some are donated. But, more importantly, it is not illegal.  

The Board of Governors (Florida’s Board of Regents) Regulation 9.0031 deals with the disposition of property. It requires each university to establish one or more review boards to “examine and make recommendations on the approval of classification of property as surplus.” It is not clear whether New College has such a board.

Why not sell books?

Regulation 9.0031 also prohibits surplus property from being scrapped or destroyed without prior written authority of the custodian and requires each university to “maintain records to identify each property item.” In the case of New College, I’m not holding my breath that such prior written approval will surface. The regulation does, however, allow surplus property to be sold through a sale “open to the public.”  

I’m so old I can remember when the New College Library Association had such sales of surplus books. It probably never brought in a lot of money, but it got bibliophiles, neighbors and friends of the college interacting with the library and helped find new homes for books no longer needed by the college. And it was the right thing to do. In contrast, this recent purge failed to allow faculty, students or the general public the chance to save some of these books.  

Let’s give the librarians the benefit of the doubt on the books selected for disposal. Let’s posit that each book met some appropriate objective criteria for removal since we have no way of knowing if they did.

We do know that despite the expertise of librarians, they cannot possibly know the research needs and interests of all the faculty. So despite what might have been an appropriate early process, the library failed to circulate a list of these books to the various disciplinary faculty. Had they done so, faculty could have pleaded to retain some of the books – or offered to add them to their personal research collections.  

Another fumble by New College

Now when things go awry like this, some people routinely attribute the screwup to malevolence and subterfuge, while others typically suspect basic incompetence and stupidity. Curiously this event combined both: a secret purging kept from the New College community combined with the completely devastating optics of a dumpster filled with randomly flung books.

The first rule of doing something you are trying to hide is this: hide what you are doing. The image of hundreds of repudiated books in a dumpster seemed to blend the fascist horror of a 1933 book burning with a 21st century dumpster fire meme. 

I’m so old I can remember when other New College books ended up in a dumpster. This is not the first time. But it is another current example of the college, drained of administrative expertise, fumbling so badly. Too many things are happening with no forewarning and no consultation. That’s by design. The college continues to advertise the features that made it great while disassembling the practices that made it great. 

Jono Miller is a local educator and the former co-director of New College of Florida's environmental studies program. He chaired a previous campus master plan committee at New College, and currently serves as president of NCF Freedom, an entity working to preserve academic freedom, shared governance and student agency at New College.

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Investigation reveals UK schools are banning LGBT+ books after complaints from parents

Exclusive : library staff, mps and charities have warned banning books is worrying regression on lgbt+ rights and can be harmful to young people, article bookmarked.

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LGBT+ books are being banned from UK schools after complaints from parents, librarians have revealed.

A six-month investigation by Index on Censorship , the results of which have been shared exclusively with The Independent, found that 53 per cent of UK school librarians polled had been asked to remove literature and in more than half of those cases books were taken off shelves.

The snapshot survey found that more than two dozen librarians had experienced such censorship, with one saying they had been told to remove every book with an LGBT+ theme after a single complaint from one parent about one book.

The responses revealed that specific titles removed from school libraries included This Book Is Gay , by Juno Dawson, a memoir about a young person discovering their sexual identity; Julián is a Mermaid , by Jessica Love, a picture book about a gender non-conforming boy who dreams of being a mermaid; and the alphabet book ABC Pride , by Louie Stowell, Elly Barnes and Amy Phelps, which introduces young readers to the alphabet while they learn more about the LGBT+ community.

LGBT+ charities, MPs and authors have warned the move represents a worrying regression on gay rights, “returning us to that world of prejudice that most of us thought we had moved on from”. Former MP Elliot Colburn, who received homophobic death threats while serving in Parliament, said preventing children from accessing material that speaks to their experiences represented a “clear and present danger to young LGBT+ people”.

Simon James Green, one of the UK's leading writers of LGBT+ teenage fiction, had his visit to a Catholic secondary school in south London cancelled in 2022 and was subsequently trolled online, including being told he “deserved to die and burn in hell”.

“Fast forward two years and it feels to me like we’re in an even more precarious position” he told Index . “The publicity the banning brought means librarians often want to talk to me about censorship issues, and many of them have been receiving more pushback about LGBTQ+ library books than ever before."

Librarians, many of whom requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, said they worried about losing their jobs if they did not comply with book removals. Surveyed staff described defying bans by handing out “off-the-record loans” from a back cupboard, a parent trying to get them sacked because their child had been reading an LGBT+ book, and senior staff telling them to keep particular books but not put them on open display.

School library worker Amy* said: “It seems that when it comes down to it, if a parent complains, the book’s gone.” Another librarian, Emma*, said she felt frightened and intimidated after one complaint led to a purge of all LGBTQ+ content from her library.

Alice Leggatt was the librarian who booked author Mr Green for The John Fisher School in south London in 2022, an event that was cancelled by the Catholic church that branded it “outside the scope of what is permissible”.

“Pretty much every librarian I’ve spoken with says this is more of an issue than it was five years ago, and they’re concerned about it in a way they never had to think about it before,” Ms Leggatt told The Independent . “But we don’t really have anything with teeth to help defend school librarians, their collections and their students when these things happen.

“ We are about different perspectives , that’s our whole ethos. I worry about that being curtailed. Now it’s LGBTQ+ books, next week it could be something else.”

There are no statutory requirements for schools to provide libraries so it is left up to schools to decide how best to do so. The government is facing calls for more support for staff put in difficult positions and new guidance to deal with complaints.

Another librarian who spoke to Index as part of the survey – distributed via the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), the School Library Association (SLA) – raised concerns about the influence of agitator groups who protested against Drag Queen Story Hour in libraries and “seem to be getting their scripts from the American playbook”.

The US has an organised system of book challenging that involves bans and burnings and is spearheaded by the right, with the American Library Association’s (ALA) latest report showing 4,240 different books targeted last year.

A spokesperson for Stonewall told The Independent : “It is troubling to see reports LGBTQ+ books are being removed from school libraries as we know that many students find great importance and reassurance in seeing themselves reflected in books and media. Preventing LGBTQ+ young people from seeing themselves represented in inclusive resources and books at school can often make them feel ashamed and feel the need to hide who they are.

“Schools [must] ensure that all young people have access to inclusive educational materials and books that represent the world we live in and the communities everyone is a part of.”

Laura Mackay, CEO of LGBTQ+ young people’s charity Just Like Us, added: “This small-scale study shows some worrying cases of fears around LGBT+ books in school libraries, but removing books will never change the fact that LGBT+ people, including same-sex parents, are part of society.

“The recent rise in far-right attitudes and fears stoked around trans young people make life so much harder for LGBT+ young people, particularly those of colour. Homophobia and transphobia are still an issue in many spheres of British life. It’s vital that young people can access books that reflect the diversity of the world around them.”

Politicians from across the political spectrum expressed deep concern over the reports of censorship spreading to the UK, even if so far it appears to be on a smaller scale.

Mr Colburn, who served as Tory MP for Carshalton and Wallington from 2019 until this year, called on the new Labour government in the UK to create fresh guidance to empower schools in the face of sometimes “aggressive” complaints.

And former Labour MP Ben Bradshaw told The Independent : “These reports are worrying. They fit a pattern of regression on LGBTQ+ human rights under the last government. All young people should be able to access age-appropriate books, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I hope the new government will make that clear to schools.”

The Department for Education declined to comment.

*Names have been changed.

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