American Libraries

I spoke with Ann on the ALA exhibit floor regarding libraries and the public's perception of libraries...all libraries. I am a school library media specialist for NYC Dept of Education. I teach in a large excellent high school that works. Please stop telling the public that libraries are free. It’s a lie.

I told Ann about my instructional approach to libraries and information. We need to change our approach and get real. Tell students, users and others the truth. I teach that libraries are not free. Never were and never will be free. Your library card cost money and someone must pay. It may be the taxpayers, subscribers, users or philanthropist. In the beginning and in the end someone pays. Books, information, DVD’s, databases and all services that libraries provide to their users cost money. The question really is who pays, who wants to support those services, libraries, librarians and what they will be in the future.