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Holly Miller

Roxanna Dewey

Eng 101

15 October 2023

The Value of Public Libraries

Imagine this; I have unlimited free access to reading materials, audio books, data-bases,

films, music and more. Where am I? Many individuals may not know about the vast resources

available at their local library. Programming plays a major role in the education of the

community. Different organizations team up with the library to produce unique and valuable

experiences to individuals of all ages. These are just a few of the many resources that are free to

the people. Public libraries are an invaluable resource due to their accessibility, educational

value, and partnered resources.

Accessibility is a core component to the value of libraries as it is what allows patrons to

engage with materials. First, libraries as a basis, are a free service. To procure a library card all

that is required is a residential address within the county of the given library and a photo-ID.

Most libraries have also made the effort to go fine free. During COVID-19 roughly fifty-four

percent of libraries removed fines from their system and maintained this policy after the

pandemic (Gerber). As a result of this, it was observed that circulation had a direct increase.

Patrons feel more comfortable utilizing library services when they don’t have to fear accruing

fines for overdue items. In addition, branches now offer a vast number of digital resources,

including audio-books, ebooks, music and streaming. The various apps that offer these services

are supported through one's library card, ensuring the service is free of charge. Many libraries
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make efforts to increase accessibility to individuals with varying disabilities and health

conditions. For example, the Foothills Branch Library in Glendale, Arizona has a drive up

window. It allows patrons to pick up and drop off their books without having to leave their

vehicle. Many elderly patrons utilize this service when it may be difficult for them to walk

around the library. Finally, some libraries, such as the Maricopa County Branches, offer a

service called ‘Books by Mail’(Maricopa County). It delivers large-print books to residences of

patrons who are home-bound. It is a zero cost service that increases accessibility to patrons who

would otherwise be unable to enter the library. These varying examples demonstrate the lengths

public libraries go to when ensuring their patrons have access to materials.

The exclamations of youth, the clanking of materials as parents chatter amongst each

other; this was the average scene of the programs offered at the Glendale Public Libraries. The

value of educational opportunities within the community of families has been shown through the

various STEAM programming offered within the system. As of September 2023, the Glendale

Public Libraries received the Full STEAM ahead LSTA grant (Glendale Arizona). This has

allowed a surge of programs to be created that focus on fun and education at the same time! Next

month the Foothills Branch Library will be hosting the Art Spinners STEAM Lab. This is

detailed to teach the youth about centrifugal force while creating messy, fun art. Often parents

are burdened with work and caring for their child's needs, leaving them unable to find time to

work with the youth’s brains. The Library offers programs, such as the aforementioned STEAM

lab, to increase usage of critical thinking in younger minds and make learning fun. Now,

education is not only valuable in youth, but for all ages. FRANK Talks are discussions on

relevant topics and issues. They work to put the current situation in context and promote

civilized engagement to promote various points of view. (Glendale Arizona). Later in October, a
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Frank Talk is being held to discuss the upcoming era of artificial intelligence hosted by PhD

holding, Andrea Christelle. These types of conversations are able to reach larger audiences while

hosted in libraries as opposed to other venues. For example, when hosted at a school individuals

that are seeking to attend would only know of the activity if they were initially searching for it.

While in the library, any patron of any age can easily join the conversation even if they did not

intend to be a part of the program on arrival.

The availability of various resources combined into one location allows individuals to

access aid without fear of judgment. The Foothills Library offers one-on-one medicare

information appointments set up with volunteer medical counselors(Glendale Arizona). This

resource is invaluable when paired with it being a free service, as some individuals struggle to

find support that is both accessible and reliable. Another example of this was the Career

Readiness Workshop held at one of the Glendale Public Libraries. This event featured career

specialists from Goodwill coming to the library in order to assist patrons with resume building

and interview skills (Glendale Insider). Individuals new to the workforce or returning after a long

period of time often find it difficult to find their footing. Resources such as this one assist patrons

with sourcing companies that are avidly hiring and finding aid in designing their resume.

Following the CORONA-virus pandemic, unemployment reached a high point and

inflation has continued to spread throughout the service industry. From gasoline prices to a rise

in stars required for a free drink at Starbucks, the world has been slowly becoming more

expensive. These changes in society have created an all time need for accessible and affordable

resources. The public libraries have been working to create an environment that meets the needs

of individuals of all ages and backgrounds. What do young, inexperienced college students need?

A place to study, internet access, career and educational aid and much more usually are what
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comes to mind. Well step inside the Foothills branch library and you will see study rooms, free

computer and internet access, various data-bases and educational sites as well as various

programs that focus on education and job preparation. There are endless resources to be utilized

once you know where to look.

Libraries reach out to individuals of all ages, whether youth, elderly, or just in the middle,

when creating programs aimed to satisfy various issues present in today's society. As of 2019

there were roughly one-hundred seventy three million registered library card users(Rizzo). Take

advantage of the resources presented just as many others are doing today, whether it is through

digital resources or in-person services.The accessibility of public libraries paired with the vast

educational opportunities and access to external resources has solidified the standing that they

are a positively impactful resource

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Work Cited

Gerber, Andrew. “Fine Farewells: LJ’s 2022 Fines and Fees Survey.” Library Journal, 28 Sept.

2022, www.libraryjournal.com/story/Fine-Farewells-LJs-2022-Fines-and-Fees-Survey

Glendale Insider. “Glendale Library Insider for September 2023.” More Glendale Library

Insider

from Septermber 2023, Sept. 2023,

https://sh1.sendinblue.com/3g3a5muhrb9pfe.html?t=1694816376

Glendale Public Library. “Foothills Library.” Foothills Library - Glendale Public Library,

www.glendaleazlibrary.com/using_the_library/locations_hours/foothills_library

Glendale Public Library. “Full Steam Ahead @ GPL.” Full STEAM Ahead @ GPL - Glendale

Public Library, 8 Aug. 2023.

www.glendaleazlibrary.com/news/what_s_new/full_s_t_e_a_m_ahead___g_p_l?utm_sou

rce=brevo&utm_campaign=2023-10+Library+Insider+1&utm_medium=email

Maricopa County. “Books by Mail.” Books By Mail - Maricopa County Library District,

https://extranet.mcldaz.org/Contact/BooksByMail

Rizzo, Nicholas. “Nicholas Rizzo.” WordsRated, 16 May 2023,

https://wordsrated.com/state-of-us-public-libraries/