Libraries and Non-profits

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”

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Libraries and Cultural Preservation

More often than not, these victors do not come from low-income areas and instead they are members of the majority community. However, there are institutions in place that work to help support, document, archive, and restore historic and cultural histories of minority communities. Libraries play a significant role in preserving knowledge and cultural heritage in society. There are massive collections of records, history, and other valuable reference materials that libraries collect in order to ensure that the stories of their communities are saved. They help ensure that the voices of all communities are represented.

How Do Libraries Expand Access To the Arts?

Libraries play host to a variety of community needs. They provide access to information and technology, open up spaces for collaboration and escape, and implement programs and events that enrich the community. In times when STEM related subjects are emphasized, libraries make sure to cultivate and support art in their communities. Libraries work hard to support local artists, curate spaces that encourage art, and contribute to building an awareness and appreciation of the arts. Many libraries serve as incubators for creative minds. These important spaces have demonstrated their capabilities and innovation in supporting art in communities. Here a just a few of the ways libraries help expand access to the arts: Follow EveryLibrary On Twitter!