Libraries are not about books. Certainly that's where you'll find a lot of books but the real reason libraries exist is access. That is, it's important in a democracy for everyone to have access to information that is not censored or "spun" to fit a political point of view. So, in a library, you'll find librarians who are trained to find information that is exactly what a patron is looking for, no matter what the format or the request. There is no judgment, no bar to finding the information. Where else can anyone, no matter their age, point of view, dress, financial status, or education get the help of a person with a Masters Degree at no cost? Yes, I hope people will also go to the library for recreational reading or to meet friends or to learn new skills in classes. I just want us all to remember that there is no where else that can provide equal access and information for anyone and everyone. Stepping down from my soapbox, I am sad that the library bond failed but agree that it may be an opportunity to figure out how to provide a new kind of library for the people of Sunnyvale. You all in Silicon Valley like a challenge. I think this is a worthy one.
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Yes, I hope people will also go to the library for recreational reading or to meet friends or to learn new skills in classes. I just want us all to remember that there is no where else that can provide equal access and information for anyone and everyone.
Stepping down from my soapbox, I am sad that the library bond failed but agree that it may be an opportunity to figure out how to provide a new kind of library for the people of Sunnyvale. You all in Silicon Valley like a challenge. I think this is a worthy one.