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Libraries’ Role In Adulthood Preparedness

February 08, 2021

Children and young adults create and experience a variety of memories at their local public libraries. These are places where they grow their reading and communication skills, learn about their interests and hobbies, and develop important social skills as well as connections to their communities. The library is a space that prepares young adults to face the challenges and tasks that adults experience like job searching, research skills, etc. They play a key factor in teaching “adulting” skills. The role that libraries play in the lives of young Americans is greater than we believe. Those that grow up being supported by their local libraries have an easier transition into adult life.

Learning to Adult at the Library

February 02, 2021

Many people grow up at the library. They joined in on storytimes and crafts as a child, spent their pre-teen years browsing books, and dedicated lots of study and social hours to the library as they got older. When it comes time to be adults, libraries are also there to teach important life skills that help people transition to being independent. Libraries have a wide range of programming on their calendars. It is no surprise that adulting 101 is a common event especially since these classes address many skills that are not taught in a classroom setting. These events cover topics from finance, cooking, or internet etiquette to sewing, emergency preparedness, and even how to tie a tie. Many young adults miss out on learning this knowledge for a variety of reasons. Many of the topics that these events address are not always consciously taught. This can lead them to struggles when they transition from living dependently to living on their own. The results are poor financial choices, inability to navigate job searches, or unhealthy diets.

Libraries and Non-profits

February 02, 2021

Libraries are well-known for supporting their communities in a variety of ways. Whether through welcoming spaces, useful information, or various services, this is one place that immediately comes to mind when people are looking for helpful resources. The cool part of how libraries function comes from the combination of knowledge, connection, and innovation. One example of this shows up in the way that libraries support local and national nonprofit organizations. Libraries help strengthen the nonprofit sector in unique ways that other institutions may not have the capacity to. Afterall, libraries themselves are nonprofits working to improve many problems and close a variety of gaps. When influential organizations come together to build up one another, exciting and impactful results come out of it.

Read More With the Help of “Book Challenges”

February 01, 2021

Feeling the pull of books, want to read more, but not sure where to begin? Use the structure of a book challenge. Book challenges help you by providing a setlist of subjects or books for you to choose from. Many have quarterly deadlines (though you can join at any time) and badges to collect. They provide a community to talk about books and setbacks. Most of all, they make reading fun, and, in all the whirl of setting and reaching a goal, remember that is the ultimate goal.

Libraries Ensure Financial Literacy Among Americans.

January 26, 2021

Libraries are helpful learning centers for a variety of people. Whether you’re curious to learn about a cool new author, interesting new science topics, or even the history of your local community, libraries are there to provide you with the resources needed in your education. Libraries are also a great tool for those in the community looking for help when it comes to becoming financially literate. Low and moderate income families can use the library to help them achieve economic security through a variety of ways. Libraries are capable of providing sound financial education and insight into savings programs that can help these families out in the long run.

The Importance Of Libraries With Your Genealogical Search

January 25, 2021

Libraries are vital institutions in our society. Libraries can help with a variety of research queries. Libraries provide access to genealogical resources. If an individual did not have access to a computer to perform genealogical research, a library can provide a computer to assist in this endeavor. There are wonderful websites such as www.ancestry.com and www.familysearch.org which can assist with genealogy searches. In particular at the Monterey Public Library, with the use of your library card, provides access to the Ancestry.com Library Edition, Gale Primary Sources Archives Unbound, Heritage Quest Online, Gale In Context Us History and Gale In Context World History databases. To locate these resources, you can access them at https://www.monterey.org/library/Research/Articles-and-Databases (Monterey Public Library, 2021). At the King County Library System you have access to Ancestry.com Library Edition, Cyndi’s List, Family Search, Gale In Context Biography, National Archives, US Gen Web Project, and World Gen Web Project. These resources are accessible by visiting their website at https://kcls.org/resources/genealogy-biography/ (King County Library System, 2021). Libraries are available to help with a variety of genealogical queries.

Libraries, Immigrants, and New Americans

January 22, 2021

Immigrants and new Americans make up almost 14 percent of the nation’s population with around 44.6 million immigrants living in the United States in 2018. The population in the country is becoming more and more diverse and new residents need ways to adapt to life in the States. Libraries are central parts of communities and are always finding new ways to increase access to benefits for immigrants. Programming at libraries can consist of civic classes, legal clinics, and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses on top of a variety of other opportunities and aid for newcomers to take advantage of. Local libraries work to be welcoming spaces for as many people as possible.

The Wonderful World of Podcasts

January 22, 2021

Reading is a singular activity, just you and the words on the page or the voice of a talented actor in your ear. Yet, readers are a community like any other, with fans and opinions about books, authors, and even libraries. Members of that community want to share, and many have decided to take advantage of one of the newest methods of communicating, podcasts. No matter your reading preference; literary fiction to graphic novels, genre fiction to true crime and everything in between, someone out there created a podcast to give you the latest news and best books.

Libraries and the Justice System

January 20, 2021

Libraries serve an instrumental role in the justice system. They perform many responsibilities that aid in research and preservation, protect civil rights, increase access to vulnerable populations, and improve operations of the justice system. A library’s work is never done when it comes to the legal needs of Americans.

Libraries and Social Justice

January 14, 2021

Libraries have always been institutions of cultural heritage. They foster the preservation of diverse histories and the advancement of social justice. In fact, libraries have become key supporters of social justice movements. It was even the theme of the 2015 Association of Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) conference. These centers for learning, inclusion, and community cater to people of all backgrounds and have recognized the importance they play in furthering the rights of different groups. Libraries have taken on the responsibility of meeting changing community needs as leaders of cultural change in society.
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