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We people are a strange bunch. We've constructed incredible cities, flown to the moon, and learned how to make pizza. However, we have yet to rid ourselves of all the insecurities, inequities, and injustices that plague our everyday life.
Luckily, there are libraries, places that are perfect for taking a break from all these nuisances. The idea that we ought to fill a building with books to borrow for whoever asks is just so beautiful in its simplicity. There is nothing but upsides to a calm, quiet area where everyone can hang out and read.
And a recent thread on Twitter illustrates this point wonderfully. It all started when one librarian from Atlanta recalled an experience they had with a confused woman.
David's wholesome tweet instantly prompted others to share their own stories of libraries being safe places, and has quickly evolved into a collective read that can warm even the coldest of hearts.
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#1
According to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), libraries form an important part of the public service infrastructure, complementing other institutions such as schools, health centers, and cultural centers, as well as non-public actors such as NGOs.
They frequently have an explicit mission to serve all members of the community, in particular the vulnerable, and are associated with educational opportunities.
In fact, in many places, they are the only genuinely public indoor space. As such, there is both an opportunity and a duty to respond to the need for safe spaces.
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#2
Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
The banning of books, the burning of books, is one of the early signs of a dictatorship in power.
#3
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
They should! Libraries are so important. With all the technology these days people forget how wonderful libraries really are.
Information is a key driver of development; it is what allows us to take better decisions for ourselves and those around us, to innovate, and to create. Providing access to this information in a meaningful way is therefore essential to development, from the individual to the global level, and libraries play an integral part in delivering this.
While it has long been understood that a more literate and educated population is good for overall social and economic progress, some countries are increasingly underlining the direct role of libraries in reducing poverty, in promoting full and active citizenship, democracy, and free expression, and in supporting sustainability.
#5
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
I get this. When you're between isles and isles of books, the smell, the feeling...everything feels safe. I used to like doing this at uni. Just randomly searching shelves alone. It was so much fun.
The young, who are moving from a situation of dependence (being fed information directly by teachers or families) to independence, take on new responsibilities and must make big choices. As they collect new experiences and find out new things about themselves, the importance of being well-informed grows, as well as simply having a quiet place where they can be calm, and be themselves.
As each person discovers their identity, their information needs become more and more diverse. They often meet challenges – isolation, institutional problems, and literacy, amongst others (and often more than one at once) – that leave them particularly vulnerable. Rapid economic and social change can intensify these situations.
#8
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
Librarians are awesome! I've know a few in my short lifetime and they're all been really nice people. Keep up the great work!
#9
Paula McNeely 3 years ago
A man who reads many books lives many lives. A man who reads no books lives only one life.
#10
AmandaKay 3 years ago
My husband used to go to New Utrecht with his Gramma every week when he was a kid for "weekly stories". She'd get him a book & he would read it to her! He's in his 40s now & still has the fondests memories of that library too. So glad to hear they are a creeper free safe space!
#11
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
It's awesome to hear about the wonder and awakening of the spirit that is being shared with us.
"Libraries do see themselves as community hubs," Michael Lynn, Service Development Manager for the Northern Ireland Library Authority, explained. "We do try to offer that space that people need within communities if they want to come and browse books, if they want to engage in some of our activities, read a book, to study or use our computer facilities."
The organization oversees 96 physical libraries and Lynn said they're all different; each one has its own particular niche within the community. "Some of them are big bustling libraries, like city center libraries such as Lisburn and Belfast Central. But then you go into the smaller communities, not just rural communities, some of the smaller urban communities, and you find there is a real core of people who do use the libraries and depend on them and look forward to using them."
#12
Cynthia Avers-Williams 3 years ago
This is the kind of idiocy I grew up with... we then I read, I block everything else out. Total immersion. My mother would get mad because I didnt hear her call me from the other room so she would throw things and hit me to get my attention. Her favorite objects to throw? Books, of course.
#14
Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
This is so true. That librarian who suggested books and took interest in you and smiled when you took books out. In homes where there is little to no encouragement or approbation, this means the world.
#15
Debra Helmlinger 3 years ago
Yes, yes, yes, Libraries are welcoming to everyone, spent 37 years as a Youth Services Libraians and helped many of all ages finding what they needed even when sometimes it was a place to be away from the outside world.
Libraries offer plenty of different types of events, too.
"We've got events for children in terms of school class visits and storytimes ... for moms and wee toddlers," Lynn said.
“We've got reading groups for adults, tea and newspaper clubs, Knit and Natter where groups can come together. We've got our digital offering as well, our Go On sessions that we run for people. They will cover all sorts of activities like scam awareness, using iPads, money-saving ideas, and tips, how to use WhatsApp and Zoom."
#16
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
That was very kind indeed. Above and beyond the scope of their regular duties.
#17
Who cares what I think, but... 3 years ago
It bothers me that some people condemn that rich people in the past ONLY put money towards building libraries. They knew what they were doing.
#18
Bart Suchecki 3 years ago
The librarian at my school would let me move the TV carts so I could hide from everything I created a sort of fort in a corner and read by myself, I loved her!
#19
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
That's fantastic! She may have been being neglected, her medication may not be working as effectively, or her condition could be worsening. It was very kind of them to pay attention, be diligent and locate her family, and take care to inform them of the changes that they've noticed.
As Lynn said, it's not just about books anymore. Libraries are working to create something that meets the needs of everyone.
"It's also about bringing people together socially," he continued. "It's about trying to combat that social isolation that there is in urban and rural communities. It's giving people a sense of place, giving them somewhere they can come, they won’t be bothered, and do whatever it is they need to do."
And judging from this Twitter thread, people definitely value these efforts.
#20
#23
Adrienne Gallo-Girard 3 years ago
What a wonderful librarian. Sadly, most of us are trained on how to administer Narcan and keep a supply at the ready. Many of us have sharps containers in our offices. The pain of the opioid epidemic hurts our hearts. But better someone ODs in a place where we can help than in a desolate alley with no one around.
One recent story from New Zealand perfectly describes the people who work at and visit libraries.
As the country celebrated a national holiday, one of its largest city libraries was closed, with staff and security given the day off. However, an error with the automated door programming meant Tūranga's doors opened to the public as usual – and the unstaffed and unsecured library was happily used by the public, who browsed and checked out books for hours before someone realized what happened.
As well as its books, the library is also home to a wide variety of artworks and sculptures – but staff say nothing was stolen, and there were no serious incidents to report.
#25
#27
Sarah Elizabeth 3 years ago
Any chance Catherine is still alive? If so, and if it wouldn’t be too hard to track her down, you should do so and tell her. If she is still living, your gesture would mean the world to her.
A library staff member at Christchurch city council said 380 people came into the building that Sunday morning.
"Our self-issue machines automatically started up and 147 books were issued by customers. No book-theft alarms went off, and at this stage, nothing has been reported missing, nor have we spotted any damage."
“We're grateful for the honesty of the people who used the library during this time," Bruce Rendall, the head of facilities, property, and planning at Christchurch city council,l added
He said there had been an investigation and the door system failing was “very rare”.
#28
Steve Fischer 3 years ago
A cell phone, usually provided by the government, is the only way the homeless can access services, while providing them a lifeline to society.
#29
Brian Bennett 3 years ago
You just have to keep cool and if you go along with them they will be very little trouble!
#32
Brian Bennett 3 years ago
Yep right up there with my, Social Insurance, heath card (Canada) and Citizenship. Don't leave home without them
#34
D Stone 3 years ago
One of the first things I thought of when Covid closed down the Central Library in Portland was the worry of what would happen to the homeless. They do such good work with helping the homeless, especially during the 8 months of the year when we have bad weather. Just the fact that there are multi floors with sitting places so that they can get out of the rain and cold is very helpful. Can't even imagine how many lives have been saved. I've had a library card for 50 years. It is one of my most prized possessions.
#35
Brian Bennett 3 years ago
Have you ever seen an angry librarian, I have but they are the calmest angry person you will meet in your life. I was in the library and was close enough to here a man berating a cognitive disabled man, they poor fellow was so scared - I went to the librarian told her an accompanied her to the the older man still giving this poor fellow hell, the old man came in to read papers and the other fellow messed them up - She told him very quietly in no uncertain terms where to go and that was out but could come back when he learned to treat all human beings the way we have treated him. It was just so cool how she did this she was calm and cool never raised her voice but you knew if you did not obey her death may ensue!
#36
Steve Fischer 3 years ago
Todays billionaires spend their money buying super yachts and fly into space. They don't build libraries.
#39
Eucritta 3 years ago
I used to dream of a place like that, literally, in amazing detail. Then I went to the (now in a new building) main library in the city, and there was the inclined hallway, the children's library under the street, the quiet private space with its hearth. It turned out my dad used to take me there often when I was very young, and the archives of my mind never forgot.
#45
M O'Connell 3 years ago
I spent a few years working at the Leslie F. Malpass Library when I was in school and know it very well! Although I do not recall the AC there being particularly good...
#46
Lynn Morello 3 years ago
I had to prove that I could and would actually read through 5 books in 5 days, I finished them in 3 days, Answered all their questions on the 5 books I took out, I was allowed to take out 10 books at a time, I was 9 and a Prolific Book Reader.
#53
Steve Fischer 3 years ago
This woman probably has more insight than everyone combined who works for Fox News.
#56
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
It's fantastic that they were so helpful and it's such a positive activity to busy oneself.
#57
Ann Dennis 3 years ago
That's an excellent library metaphor! Fellow Pandas, I issue a challenge: More metaphors, if you please!
#60
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
Another great analogy. They have such important meanings to so many different people.
#61
Librarian LK 3 years ago
Defunding libraries, supporting censorship, using libraries as pawns in culture wars, denying multiple points of view and free access to information. For example, I displayed picture books in the children's area that featured some African American characters. An ultra conservative board member saw it and complained it was '1619 for babies" and I was asked to remove the books. We are experiencing this kind of nonsense at my library from our director, our board, and the mayor and his administration. I'm keeping my location private for fear of retaliation. Having said that, it's not so much a Republican issue as it is the very vocal ultra right wing majority that have seized control of the party
#62
Steve Fischer 3 years ago
Libraries hold the key to journeys that will take your mind to places only dreamed of.
#66
#84
#86
Lynn Morello 3 years ago
Safe house signs used to decorate the safe havens of homes, businesses and institutions. You don't see these things any more.
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What do you think ?
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
If I could find a library, I wanted to live in it. Still do. Just ive me a place to sleep in between reading books!
Mad Mar 3 years ago
My towns small library was my favorite place. An old granite gothic small building. Nooks and crannies I could go and read away from bullies. It expanded but kept that small part integrated into the new wing. When I drive past I only see the small part. I read all my favorite authors there. It was a safe zone to run to when bullies chased me. I would pop in an sit in the middle where I could be seen. The trouble makers would circle but the staff would push them out for being disruptive. I'd call my mom and she would get me if I saw they hadn't left the area. Fund these places. They made school work easier before computers and phones. Have a date there with someone. Pick books to talk about.
Betsy Novack 3 years ago
I was assigned to work in the library while with the school system. I was in the back doing Dewey and walked out to shelve a couple of books. Sitting at a table were three rascally boys who gears were always turning in their pointed little heads, intensely focused on a big book of flowers or something I'd never think would interest them. As I walked back to my workroom, I happened to get a glimpse of Ms April in the Playboy they had been reading behind the covers of the other book. So I snuck up behind them and whispered "Wait till you see Ms. May". I didn't bust 'em. But they knew they weren't ready for the big leagues yet.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
If I could find a library, I wanted to live in it. Still do. Just ive me a place to sleep in between reading books!
Mad Mar 3 years ago
My towns small library was my favorite place. An old granite gothic small building. Nooks and crannies I could go and read away from bullies. It expanded but kept that small part integrated into the new wing. When I drive past I only see the small part. I read all my favorite authors there. It was a safe zone to run to when bullies chased me. I would pop in an sit in the middle where I could be seen. The trouble makers would circle but the staff would push them out for being disruptive. I'd call my mom and she would get me if I saw they hadn't left the area. Fund these places. They made school work easier before computers and phones. Have a date there with someone. Pick books to talk about.
Betsy Novack 3 years ago
I was assigned to work in the library while with the school system. I was in the back doing Dewey and walked out to shelve a couple of books. Sitting at a table were three rascally boys who gears were always turning in their pointed little heads, intensely focused on a big book of flowers or something I'd never think would interest them. As I walked back to my workroom, I happened to get a glimpse of Ms April in the Playboy they had been reading behind the covers of the other book. So I snuck up behind them and whispered "Wait till you see Ms. May". I didn't bust 'em. But they knew they weren't ready for the big leagues yet.
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