To begin, public libraries are home for the building of communities and deepening of personal relationships. Citizens go to public libraries for varying reasons. For example, some citizens borrow books, others find a place to study, and some attend meetings and other events that are available. According to Orland Park Public Library’s Calendar of Events, public events such as pilates classes, along with craft nights, take place in the library. On other nights, board meetings will occupy the library floor (Source B). Through these events, many citizens are allowed the opportunities to meet other citizens and establish communities based off of similar interests. As Nancy Kranich describes, “... libraries build learning communities that bring
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Not only do public library events build communities, but they also grant the deepening of personal relationships within families. Many of the events scheduled at Orland Park Public Library are storytime activities for toddlers and babies or family fun dance parties (Source B). With such events publicly available, upon taking advantage of these activities as a family, citizens are able to bond and grow together as a unit. All in all, public libraries allow citizens the opportunities to establish communities and improve relationships through the diverse events and programs available.
Moreover, for many people, public libraries serve as a vital access point for digital information and services. In a world where society is growing more dependent on technology, more and more resources are becoming accessible online and some are solely available through digital formats. Unfortunately, however, there are many citizens who do not have personal access to these valuable online resources, so they turn to public libraries as their only access point for digital information. As described by …show more content…
According to the American Library Association, “Overall, funding for public libraries continues to be suppressed in 2011-2012 budgets, with 5% more states reporting decreased state funding for public libraries than in 2010-2011” (Source F). Opponents will argue that as a response to the state budget cuts, public libraries will have to make tough choices regarding the continuance of their programs. As a result, some predict that with fewer programs available due to funding challenges, public libraries will no longer have a respected role in the near future. However, just as learning has exponentially evolved in the recent years with the help of modern technology, public libraries have found creative ways to meet demand despite state budget cuts. As quoted by Shank, “In Philadelphia, they are placing equipment and trainers in community organizations to make these valuable services available to their patrons at these sites, even when their regular locations are closed due to budget cutbacks” (Source C). Public libraries are turning to innovative methods to adapt to the changing times and trends. With this, through flexible accomodations, public libraries are successfully maintaining their importance in local communities and in citizens’ everyday
Not only do public library events build communities, but they also grant the deepening of personal relationships within families. Many of the events scheduled at Orland Park Public Library are storytime activities for toddlers and babies or family fun dance parties (Source B). With such events publicly available, upon taking advantage of these activities as a family, citizens are able to bond and grow together as a unit. All in all, public libraries allow citizens the opportunities to establish communities and improve relationships through the diverse events and programs available.
Moreover, for many people, public libraries serve as a vital access point for digital information and services. In a world where society is growing more dependent on technology, more and more resources are becoming accessible online and some are solely available through digital formats. Unfortunately, however, there are many citizens who do not have personal access to these valuable online resources, so they turn to public libraries as their only access point for digital information. As described by …show more content…
According to the American Library Association, “Overall, funding for public libraries continues to be suppressed in 2011-2012 budgets, with 5% more states reporting decreased state funding for public libraries than in 2010-2011” (Source F). Opponents will argue that as a response to the state budget cuts, public libraries will have to make tough choices regarding the continuance of their programs. As a result, some predict that with fewer programs available due to funding challenges, public libraries will no longer have a respected role in the near future. However, just as learning has exponentially evolved in the recent years with the help of modern technology, public libraries have found creative ways to meet demand despite state budget cuts. As quoted by Shank, “In Philadelphia, they are placing equipment and trainers in community organizations to make these valuable services available to their patrons at these sites, even when their regular locations are closed due to budget cutbacks” (Source C). Public libraries are turning to innovative methods to adapt to the changing times and trends. With this, through flexible accomodations, public libraries are successfully maintaining their importance in local communities and in citizens’ everyday