Libraries -- Still a Great Value

There has been a great deal of discussion these days not only about public institutions and the people who work there, including libraries, but the advent and explosive popularity of new technologies that might seemingly usurp libraries.  Those technological marvels, such as the Kindle, the Nook and other devices are nothing short of astounding when you think about it.  If you travel, as many members of my family do, and you love to read you’d be crazy not to have one.

The Nook, produced by Barnes and Noble, measures 8” by 5” and can hold literally thousands of books at a time. You can even borrow books from the library to download onto your Nook.  And when you get bored with reading, you can play chess, do a crossword puzzle, even search the web.  Who wouldn’t like that? If you’re lucky enough to have $249 in discretionary funds to buy one, please do.  And if you are not sure how to use it to download books, come into the library.  We have staff members who can help you with that.

Libraries, as cultural institutions and centers of learning, adapt to new technologies.  We don’t shy away from them.  When computers first came into wide usage in libraries, it was well before they were a fixture in people’s homes.  As each new viewing technology blossomed, from VHS to DVD, libraries adapted.  When digital movies become the norm, we will have those, too. 

People are surprised to learn that we offer books to download onto portable viewing devices and that we offer audio books to download onto your portable listening devices.  You can even download books directly onto your smart phone.

 
 Sadly, however, there are still thousands – probably millions – of people in America who do not own a smart phone; do not have $249 in discretionary funds and may not even have a computer in their homes.  Luckily for them, libraries are still here.  Despite the naysayers who think that libraries are not necessary and are going the way of the dinosaurs, libraries open every day across this country and help students with their homework, help the jobless find jobs, help readers find books and enrich their patrons’ lives every day with programs of all kinds. 

That kind of service to our patrons can be seen every day here at the Great Neck Library.  Just the other day, one of our librarians was sitting with a patron, explaining to him how to find something on Google maps, then showed him how to get directions to that location.  Every day, in Levels, teens can pitch an idea to the staffers who will then encourage them – and help them – to make it happen.  The result? Music videos, CD’s, artwork created on the computer and much more.  Walk into the children’s room on any day and ask for a book to read to your baby, toddler, preschooler or school aged child and chances are excellent that the librarians will suggest several.

Adding to the value of libraries are the programs we offer.  Here at the Great Neck Library, we have a hard working, volunteer Music Advisory Committee who produces several outstanding musical programs every year for our patrons to enjoy – all of them free.  We have had a different author come to the Library almost every month since July for readers to meet, hear about their works, their writing process and their plans.  We have an outstanding lineup of popular movies shown for free every Tuesday afternoon at the Main Library and on different days in the branches.  We also program to children from birth through high school.

The program listings that ran recently in one of our local papers included story hours at all 4 library locations, craft programs coordinated with favorite books, computer help and senior computer help at multiple locations, music recitals, art exhibits, films, staff-led book discussions at multiple locations, and a special dramatic presentation sponsored by the Brandeis National Meeting. This is a typical week.

You can’t get these very tangible and measurable benefits from a Kindle or a Nook. But you can get them from a library.