Do We Still Need Libraries?

 https://archive.nytimes.com/learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/07/do-we-still-need-libraries/?rref=collection%252Fcolumn%252Flearning-student-opinion

by Sarah B

Image Source: https://archive.nytimes.com/learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/07/do-we-still-need-libraries/?rref=collection%252Fcolumn%252Flearning-student-opinion

Libraries are important assets in our society. They have been around for a since before 600 BC (Pettegree and der Weduwen), and have continued to be useful. They provide useful information hard to find elsewhere. At least they did. However, now that we have the internet, that information is available readily in the palm of your hand. Some people think that libraries aren’t relevant anymore. However, I don’t think that’s true. While there is a lot of information on the internet, not all of it is reliable. However, library sources are reliable, as they are picked and chosen. Also, for many people, a physical book is much more preferable to an electronic one.

Libraries are good book sources for people of all ages. When I was younger, and still today, I used to love the library. I would check out books that I didn’t have at home, instead of buying them. More recently, I would check out books about certain topics needed for a school paper, and use them as a reliable source. I mainly checked out books at my school libraries and my local library. I mainly go to the school library, since it’s more convenient.

Normally I check out a book every week or so, but It’s been a while since I even picked up a book. I’ve been busy lately, so reading isn’t at the top of my priority list. But normally I use libraries to check out books for fun reading, like fantasy. I look for the next book/book series on my reading list and go check it out if I don’t have it at home. Sometimes, while physical books are preferred, I will read an e-book. My book-checking-out preferences are school library, e-book, and local library, in that order.

One reason why Libraries may not be receiving the proper funding is that the people in charge are picky with where they send their money, and they may think that libraries aren’t important with the internet. However, this isn’t true. “A study conducted at Ghana University of India showed that 53 (32.1%) respondents indicated that they use library occasionally and 69 (41.8%) of the respondents use library often” (Azam et al., 39).  They continue to be useful and provide both credible information and a place that anyone can go to. Libraries should continue to be funded, and even get an increase in funding.

Azam, Mehreett, et al. “Female Students’ Preferences, Internet and Library Usage at The Islamia University o f Bahawalpur.” Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal, vol. 51, no. 1, Jan. 2020, pp. 38–44. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=141232369&site=eds-live&scope=site.

Andrew Pettegree, and Arthur der Weduwen. The Library : A Fragile History. Basic Books, 2021. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=2948452&site=eds-live&scope=site.