Libraries are the cornerstone of every community. Or so says this 2015 report from Pew Research Center, which found that more and more Americans look to their libraries for educational and economic opportunity, especially in lower-income communities. We couldn’t agree more. The problem is, many libraries are facing a crisis as their facilities fall into disrepair. This is especially true for communities of color, where members are more likely to see their local library as essential to community growth and development.
We want to hear from you!
Should libraries be included in the Economic Justice Act?
Recently, Senate Democrats introduced the Economic Justice Act, meant to reinvest in America’s communities of color and stem the tide of economic disenfranchisement and systemic racism. The bill would also include $59 billion to support local school and library infrastructure, which would help establish a 21st-century infrastructure, aimed at supporting the economic and educational growth of these communities.
Help us support libraries!
Every $10 we raise helps us reach 1,000 more people like you!
From the beginning, libraries have provided public access to educational resources. The first free libraries we set up because our founding fathers understood the need for free and unfettered access to education in order to get ahead in life. Today, communities turn to their libraries for everything from help with school assignments, to finding a job, to learning a new language or skill, and even completing a DIY project. It is essential, then, that we invest in libraries to ensure communities of color can meet the challenges of a 21st-century economy.
But what do you think? Share your response to our poll and add your name to our growing list of library supporters!