Monday, March 7, 2011

Library as Sanctuary

There was a wonderful editorial in the Los Angeles Times this past Sunday, March 6 -

The author, Pico Iyer, did a wonderful job detailing one of the key benefits of public libraries. Public libraries are sanctuaries, and offer something that no other place in our modern society can - The opportunity to lose or find yourself in the collective intelligence of our communities. Libraries are the collective intelligence of society - they make our communities smarter, and help people find themselves.

In these tough times, the importance of sanctuary should not be underestimated. As Pico Iyer said "to save money by reducing library services and resources is like trying to save a bleeding man by cutting out his heart. Or - if we could reach it - his soul."

Well said.

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