The threat to society presented by the closure of libraries is as real as that faced by the destruction of the rain forests, or the extinction of the honey bee. In addition to issuing books, libraries support local writers; introduce children to books; run parent-and-toddler sessions; host author talks; run workshops; offer access to IT facilities; and a whole lot more. This piece by Angela Clarke in yesterday’s Guardian is a perfect example of the far-reaching impact of libraries.
The presence of libraries represents the importance placed on the written word: their systemic closure sends out a message to our children – and to society at large – that books are not important. Saving our libraries is critical, and everybody should play a part in campaigning against closures.
There are petitions whizzing about the internet on this very topic, and I imagine hundreds, thousands of people earnestly digi-signing them and shaking their heads about the sorry state of affairs in which we find ourselves. Perhaps you’ve signed one. But there is something more important you can do than signing a petition, and that’s to use your library. If you’re lucky enough to have a library on your doorstep, and you haven’t stepped inside it in the last three months, then I implore you: do it today. Borrow a book. Borrow three. Sit for half an hour and read the paper. Browse audio books, DVDs, fiction, non-fiction… just do it. Because if we all visited a library once a week – once a fortnight, even – the demand would be so great we wouldn’t be closing libraries, we’d be opening them.
By all means sign petitions, but make your actions count for more. Don’t turn your back on books.