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National Library Week

By Beverly Burmeister

Libraries are celebrating National Library Week and many are enjoying special activities --the School of Law Library is no exception! Launched in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association. Libraries across the country celebrate the contributions of our nation?s libraries and librarians, and promote library use and support. All types of libraries?school, public, academic and special?participate.

Although many of us use libraries on a regular basis, we may not realize how central libraries actually are to the health and well-being of our communities. The American Library Association released their State of American Libraries Report and some of the information may surprise you.

• Americans continue to check out more than 2 billion items each year from their public libraries, an average of 7-plus books per year
• Americans go to school, public, and academic libraries 50% more than they go to the movies. See Monkey Wars video.
• The average bill to the taxpayer for the range of public services -- borrow books and other materials, learn new computer skills, conduct job searches and participate in many activities -- is $31 per year, about the cost of one hardcover book.
• Teens are one of the public library?s most enthusiastic users of services.
• New studies offer data on public libraries as engines of economic growth, highlighting ways in which library programming in early literacy, employment services, and small-business development contributes to local economic development in urban areas.

One of the most important functions of libraries and librarians in the present climate is to stand up for the First Amendment rights of all Americans. Librarians have defended the right to be free from unconstitutional snooping and restricting free access to information. The right to read ? freely and in private ? remains a core value of the profession.

As hyperlinked above, you can read the entire report at http://www.ala.org/2008state.

Full post as published by V.U.Lawcity - The Valpo Law Blawg on April 17, 2008 (boomark / email).