Maintaining Public Libraries

Public libraries are facilities we cannot afford to lose even with the current sophisticated computing systems and the internet era. One does not need to be at a given age, have a certain amount of money, or have specific characteristics to qualify using library resources. These are well physically structured gathering places with convenient programs that enable social and cultural mixing through discussions and meetings with friends and strangers with a common academic goal. Libraries provide safe places where people can learn through reading regardless of one’s background (Landgraf, 2011). This paper discusses the importance of maintaining public libraries and gives reasons why it is not a waste of money compared to maintaining computer and internet-based libraries.

Public libraries are there for all ages, and this is regardless of a person’s origin and language since help is offered to those who speak English as a second language. Literary libraries help people to use the internet. Libraries actually work in hand with the internet to provide researchers a tool to carry out vast research in their studies (Carison, 2006). Accessing the internet seems easy but it is very difficult to access the full depth of information. Libraries preserve people’s privacy as the individual’s personal details such as credit card details and personal profiles are much safer and are not vulnerable as in the use of computers and the internet (Landgraf, 2011).

It is important to invest in public libraries as they add value to the society. These are facilities that cannot be replaced by computers and the internet as they act as a hub for preserving the past. The strong and durable structures have been able to keep literature materials for many yeas up to three centuries (Landgraf, 2011). People’s research works and findings are well protected and preserved in the public libraries at convenient costs compared to the internet databases which are costly and vulnerable to pirates (Landgraf, 2011).  This is one of the most important reasons why maintaining public is considered better compared to maintaining computer or internet-based libraries. Books are good for the eyes and can be easily transported to distances where computers cannot be taken away especially if there is a lack of electricity and internet connection (Carison, 2006).  

Public libraries are amenities the society cannot do without, they offer information that is reliable and cannot be altered for many years. The structures provide favorable environment for reading and doing and have rich resources that have been archived for many years, an exercise that will take the internet so many years to arrange all these information online and in a convenient form. The public libraries and information technologies work together as computers provide systems that make people find books and information easily.