On the Importance of Libraries and Books

In 1731, Benjamin Franklin convinced fellow members of a group initially formed to discuss and debate morals, politics and natural philosophy to found the, “Library Company of Philadelphia." This subscription library was the first of its kind and was created to address the high cost and scarcity of books in the American colonies. Each member would invest a modest annual fee to purchase a collection of books to then be shared amongst its members, enabling the community access to knowledge and higher learning. Similar subscription libraries grew in continental cities, often allowing non-members access to their books for a refundable fee.

Many years and one significant revolution later, Dr. Franklin is also credited with establishing the first public lending library in 1778. When the residents of modern-day Franklin, MA, requested money for a town bell in exchange for renaming itself in his honor, Franklin responded by donating 116 books instead, writing in a letter that, “Sense is preferable to sound.” The town then voted to lend the books to all residents free of charge, thus establishing the first free public lending library in the (newly declared) United States of America. The original books are still there, maintained in a climate-controlled bookcase. (Side note: as a longtime resident of Franklin and then vice president of the Friends of the Franklin Library, I had the honor of helping to host a 300th birthday party in Dr. Franklin’s honor – no small task to throw a party for 400 people, but there was lots of cake!)

We have a long tradition in this country of valuing knowledge, books and libraries, and have worked together to ensure that they are available to all. Every adult and child has a right to limitless education and should have unfettered access to it. Books are critical to this privilege and libraries are necessary to foster a culture of inquiry and learning. So I ask why, in this day and age, would anyone feel the need to limit societal access to knowledge?

The past several years have seen an Orwellian rise in book-banning efforts and attempts to whitewash history by limiting access to books which share real lessons from the past. The current federal government is creating a slash and burn attempt to cut funding to libraries and educational grants, as well as threatening the Department of Education. Chaotic cost-cutting is shutting off access to critical monies which support research, development, and funding of which support learning, development, and literacy.

As a result, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a relatively small federal agency, has just this week placed its entire staff on administrative leave, effectively cutting off grant funding to museums and libraries across the USA. While small and rural libraries will be hardest hit, this shameful attempt to limit access to information should enrage each one of us. Libraries serve a crucial societal need by providing access to information and education, promoting literacy and critical thinking, addressing community needs (such as filling gaps in access to information, education, and technology, particularly in underserved communities,) and by creating community hubs and social spaces.

There is no positive effect from keeping people away from resources intended to help them expand and grow. Books help us become informed about different cultures, people, and societies, while lack of this information breeds mistrust, prejudice, discrimination and sometimes violence. Knowledge about science and the world around us keeps us curious and engaged in improving the health of our food, natural resources, and communities. Access to the wisdom of others, the lessons of history and data-driven knowledge give us the push to excel. Both libraries and books are the bridge forward.

As we celebrate National Library Week (April 6-12) remember that Benjamin Franklin once said, "The only thing that is more expensive than education is ignorance."