Public Libraries, Threatened

The library of Morrin Centre, Quebec City, dates back to 1868; photo Dylan Page Photography/Morrin Centre

Besides being thankful for you, I am thankful for the library. As a kid, I went through thirty or so Hardy Boys books, later brought home books with my children for them to read, and now, most of the books I read in any of the forms come from our library here in Halifax. I'm working to make my books available there for others, too.

Yet Public libraries in North America are being challenged.

Further, there is an absence of books representing different groups, initially Indigenous peoples though that is slowly being resolved, and more recently other visible and invisible groups.

But librarians state the issues extend well beyond that.

After 150 years of public libraries, American librarians say buildings are decaying, financial support is disappearing, and harassment by customers and public groups is soaring.

Meanwhile, they are trying to facilitate change for those who feel missed in traditional literature, those who need pop-up medical care and career counselling, and to provide a safe place to gather and chat about what’s important.

Though Canada's libraries go back to the 1630s, Ontario established the Free Libraries Act in 1882. As in the rest of the world, Andrew Carnegie helped build 125 libraries across the country. One of those is near The Briars in Beaverton.

Here in Nova Scotia, the government has pulled funding, sparking public backlash. Communities are pulling together. Municipalities are pulling funding from other services to keep the buildings open. And Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid, famed for the Heated Rivalry books, donated $300,000 to keep the local branches open. This kick in the butt has the government reeling as it looks for new funding to keep the libraries and other arts organizations going.

I'm not there yet, but who knows what would happen if you and all my other readers leave a review on their favourite platform... helping other readers find them... LOL!

Thank you for reading. Andrew Sibbald

Summary of articles referenced above:

	Canada's History [canadashistory.ca] The Creation of the Canadian Public Library System The article also talks about Canada's censorship through the centuries and Indigenous books
	The Walrus [thewalrus.ca]  Nova Scotia Shut Down Libraries. Then Things Got Ugly  "Nova Scotia's ... budget initially slashed $130 million in grants funding to community and arts programs"
	The CBC [cbc.ca]  Heated Rivalry author donates $300K to 5 rural libraries facing closure -  "I don't think I'd be an author without my local library."
	The New York Times [nytimes.com]  Librarians on Libraries : 50 interviewed A homeless woman comes to the main desk with an injured bird: "Someone's got to care."
	EdW [edweek.org]  Book Challenges Are Still Near All-Time Highs, New Data Show "Books about race and gender are still a main target"