The Library: The Alternative To The Internet
As children, we all got exposed to the library and how important it was to read books. However, in recent years the library has become a far second to the internet. With most Americans having a computer in their home, children are now learning the importance of the internet. The internet has become the quickest way to learn about anything you could imagine. However, is this affecting the library and the number of people that attend them? It appears, there is still value added with the library.
According to NPR News, the library is in fact still a place that many recommend you go to for job information, financial advice/information, and anything else you need to know. In recent years, there has been grants given to libraries that allows them to update resources and offer programs to consumers. Some see a library and it’s librarians as a more “trusted” source for information about things like their finances. The internet can be something potentially that people might not trust as much. So, if you are little overwhelmed by all the information on the internet, you might now want to start to reconsider utilizing your local library! Leadpile Lead Exchange also believes in the power of reading and the library. The Heber-Overgaard Library was one of our designated charities, that the Leadpile team contributed donations to in 2008. Knowledge is power!
I just finished reading your blog on “The Library: The Alternative to the Internet” and I must confess that I am a librarian at the Heber-Overgaard Library that you most generously donated to in 2008. In fact, the whole library is run by volunteers and it is a project we all feel passionate about.
The new influx of people seeking assistance in research, resume writing, job listings and aiding those less comfortable in navigating the Internet has increased greatly over the past year. We recently held a resume writing class for the public, we have guest speakers enlightening our residents on travels, finances, and sometimes even the authors themselves (that’s a real treat).
The Internet is a hot ticket with many people who would have never considered it before, but with the job cuts everywhere and being located in the mountains, a minimum of 30+ miles away from the nearest DES office, many individuals are filing their claims on-line. Believe it or not, they are not our senior citizens. They are blue collared workers who really had no time, nor inclination to join the computer world – they had their craft. But now, are almost forced to “give in” due to funds, location and timeliness of obtaining that job – which everyone else is vying for. Times are tough, people are resilent and go back to their roots – THE LIBRARY for information they can trust. Just the other day we hosted a tour of the Boy Scouts (1st graders)to initiated them to the world of “No Limits”. Their eyes were wide and glistening of wonder. I must admit, I couldn’t help but smile.
So, in closing, thank you for all your generosity and foresite of helping a small community library help themselves in these hard times.
1Peg you are very welcome. Keep doing what you are doing! Little towns need people like you!
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