There’s been a lot going on legislatively in Iowa during the 2024 session, and one bill being discussed would affect how libraries are funded. If the proposed changes are made, some local libraries could see significant budget cuts, and others could be closed. This got me thinking about what libraries mean to me.
Note: I rely on local journalists like Robert Leonard and Laura Belin for information about Iowa politics. Look for folks like this in your area!
I have been a bibliophile ever since I learned to read. If someone needed to find me, they had to look no further than the pile of books surrounding me. No library or bookmobile was safe. I would check out as many books as I could carry and read all of them.
When I had kids, both were introduced at an early age to storytime, art projects, and scavenger hunts. A library and childhood are synonymous for me; one of my kids has also become a very serious reader. We like our local library but also like visiting other cities' libraries. Even my nonreader kid finds value in a library to get crafting ideas, play games, and put together puzzles.
In my role as a professor, most of my classes have a “prep week.” In writing-intensive courses, I encourage students to make a list of resources they have available to support them. One item I always tell them to consider is the area's libraries and their services.
I cannot imagine a world without libraries, and I don’t want to. This week, think about the role your library—be it a community, college, or university library—has played in your life. What would you do if it was no longer available to you? If you haven’t been to your library in a while, take this opportunity to visit and tell us how it made you feel! Until next week, take care, and happy reading if you find a book to check out!