Once again, we are reading about community libraries in our local paper. Amherst has seen significant cost increases for the proposed library expansion. Other towns across the state find themselves in similar situations. Deerfield, Orange, Gloucester, Grafton, and other towns have written a letter to Gov. Charlie Baker as well as state representatives seeking a community library lifeline.
Inevitably, when the discussion of investing in libraries occurs in town meetings, the conversation is nearly always contentious. With increasingly stretched town budgets, community members are concerned about the long-term impact of such investments on their taxes. Additionally, residents express fears that libraries are nearly obsolete as digitization of materials increases rendering the investment meaningless. However, libraries are much more than the books they carry and most Americans agree that investing in a town library is worth it.
Libraries are valued by their communities. A 2016 report by the Pew Research Center found that just over 50% of people over 16 had visited their local library at least once in the past year and nearly three quarters stated that public libraries provide the resources they need. Ninety percent of people agree that their library is very or somewhat important to their community and 66% say that closing their library would have a major impact on their community.
In other words, most Americans still agree that libraries as a public good are relevant and essential to community well-being.
Libraries are a symbol of our social and civic life. Public libraries were established with the principle that all people deserve free, open access to information and knowledge — a core ideal of what it means to be a U.S. citizen. Given these times of increased polarization, when democratic principles are endangered, strengthening the foundation of civic engagement is essential.
Public libraries are ideal places from which to bolster civic life. Community spaces that foster common ground and engagement of diverse audiences can only serve to enhance good community decision-making. An investment in libraries is an investment in our democracy.
Libraries serve as a safeguard against social isolation and loneliness. Social isolation and loneliness are major public health problems today. Loneliness affects nearly one-third of adults in the United States and impacts both mental health (leading to higher rates of depression and anxiety) and physical health (leading to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, fatigue and overall increased mortality). Social infrastructure, including libraries are one antidote to this problem.
Looking beyond the books, libraries offer a community space that fosters social interaction and encourages lasting relationships often between diverse populations. This is especially true for people who may otherwise feel disconnected such as young parents or grandparents.
Additionally, by offering educational programs such as computer and technology literacy, book clubs, movie nights, and quilting clubs, libraries serve more than individuals. They are a catalyst for friendships and connections between neighbors who might not otherwise meet. They are a cornerstone of a community’s social infrastructure fostering social connection, and mutual support — building blocks for a robust public life.
Investing in libraries is a climate justice issue. In an article by the same title, Sarah Sax describes how libraries are the most accessible places to find refuge in climate emergencies. As extreme heat threatened the Pacific Northwest last summer, libraries served as cooling stations especially for urban area residents. They have served as safe havens for residents needing relocation during hurricanes and flood. In fact, libraries are a crucial piece of social infrastructure serving as trusted pillars of the community, providing updated communication, offering technology resources, and being adaptive to immediate needs during disasters. The Federal Emergency. Management Agency recognized libraries as an essential part of a community’s infrastructure.
Libraries are integral to the long-term health and resiliency of a community. Gov. Baker and our state legislators need to hear the request from these communities and throw that lifeline.
Gloria DiFulvio is a faculty member in the Health Promotion and Policy Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a resident of Hadley.