In Praise of Libraries, Democracy's Secret Weapon

"I think the health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture and our concern for the future can all be tested by how well we support our libraries."

- Carl Sagan

Social media hits us everyday with jeremiads telling us democracy is on the brink of collapse. At times, I'm inclined to agree, there's no doubt democracy is being tested right now, I also think there are encouraging signs democracy will rebound. To quote the good Dr. Bennell from the 1956 film Invasion of the Body Snatchers, "we only know the true worth of something when we are in danger of losing it." 

A month ago Fortune Magazine online ran an article arguing that Amazon should take over all the libraries to save tax payers money, run them like a business. The author, economist Panos Mourdoukoutas, faced an onslaught of irate librarians on Twitter, who eviscerated his proposal. Fortune eventually removed the article. When you piss off librarians, you've really stepped in it.


Libraries are still open. Patrons are free to read Helen Keller, Karl Marx, George Carlin, Phylis Schlafly, or James Baldwin.

Public libraries are one of the last places a citizen can go for free and have access to all sorts of beneficial services. Even the smallest towns in America still have libraries. Privatizing them for profit would be the last frontier for the ultra libertarians I suppose. Just like those "for profit" schools, if everything were just run like a business, all social problems would magically disappear. While Amazon provides amazing services, I have real issues with the company, with stories on how they treat their warehouse employees. Perhaps it's because libraries exemplify socialism that works that really gnaws at the ultra capitalists. Supporting free services through slightly higher taxes keeps libraries going, so just think of how checking out a book is a radical act! Just imagine if the same were true for health care and education.

I guess a paradigm shift still needs to be made on those grave issues. The haves lose their cool at the idea of paying higher taxes towards health care and education for the have nots. Why must the earners and producers support the weak who will never provide for themselves? Consider the Fox News conniption fit over Democratic-Socialist (and soon to be congressional representative) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's policy ideas on these issues. But I've never heard an affluent person complain about their tax money enabling a poor person to read The Jungle or Oliver Twist - for free!!!!!  

As long as libraries are vibrant, we can take some comfort. The Library of Congress remains one of the great landmarks of Washington DC, especially the display of Jefferson's personal collection of books, one of the most impressive during his time. The exhibit reminds us a democratic culture cultivates books, free thought, and new ideas. A nation of readers will be wise and strong. And maybe, just maybe, libraries point the way to a brighter future.