Free Doesn't Come Cheap

Two days ago, I passed by a beautiful library in a neighboring town and said to myself, "I wonder how many people still use libraries and if it is worth keeping them open?" Before anyone gets angry with me, it was an innocent question. Going to the libarary has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. Books were like an escape for me, so much so that I built my own library in my house. Up until a few years ago, I was still using my local library 4 or 5 times a week, but since becoming proficient at researching through the internet, I stopped going more than once every 4 or 5 months. Also, I began to utilize book stores so I could sit with a cup of tea while listening to soft music playing in the background. I couldn't help but wonder if others were doing the same. And with all the budget concerns, school cut backs, and tax increases we have been subjected to, I was trying to figure out how we could continue to justify the millions it costs to run these buildings if technology was going to possibly render them obsolete. I love books and I couldn't imagine a world without free access to them, but I also couldn't help asking, "In the future, are books and the buildings they are housed in going to exist?"

I should never be surprised when I get an answer to a question I ask, but the timing of this one was incredible. Next morning as I was looking at the previous day's mail, I saw the familiar yellow paper that my own Oyster Bay Public Library's newsletter is printed on. This time I didn't scan it for 5 seconds before I tossed it. Instead, I actually read it, and was I shocked at what was highlighted on the front page.

*Every day 300,000 Americans get job-seeking help at their public library.
*More public libraries provide free wireless access than Starbucks, Borders, and Barnes & Noble.
*Two thirds of Americans have a library card, and for many youngsters it is the first card in their wallet. (I know it was mine!)
*Every day, 14,700 people attend free library computer classes, a retail value of 2.2 million.
*2.8 million times every month, business owners and employees use public library resources to support their small businesses.
*Every day, Americans borrow 2.1 million DVDs from libraries, more than is borrowed from Netflix.
*Every year, Americans visit the library more than we go to the movies and 6 times more than we attend live sporting events.
*US public libraries circulate as many materials every day as FedEx ships packages worldwide.

I don't know about you, but after reading these remarkable stats, I had an even greater respect for my local library. It also made me want to pay it a visit this week. Yes, "free" access doesn't come cheap, but in this case, it seems Americans are getting their monies worth!