Read All About It: Thoughts On Libraries

I can’t remember the day I received my first library card, but I can tell by the way the signature dances from above to below the line and back again that I was both very young and very eager. The paper sleeve I still carefully return my card to after every use is another hint—the hours listed have been outdated for years. My memories are filled to the brim with images of Saturdays following semi-quietly behind my father and sister as they led the way from shelf to shelf, picking out classic series such as The Berenstain Bears and Magic Tree House and allowing me to compile a stack of my own choices so tall my short arms could barely carry them all. I don’t think I often used my own card in those days, as my father wanted to be able to keep track of due dates and renewals, but it was the having that was important; knowing I could access the words and ideas of a nearly infinite number of intelligent and creative people was one of the first freedoms of childhood.

When I was old enough to go to elementary school and beyond, I rapidly realized that the school librarians were very good friends to have. I spent a lot of time browsing, and maybe just as long collecting both recommendations and answers to my various questions. It was the school libraries that took me through my obsession with fairy tales, my fascination with cryptids, and the precursor to my identity exploration. My librarians kept my secrets safe—even the ones I wasn’t yet ready to speak aloud.

Throughout high school, I’ve leaned on the public library and the SHS media center for different resources. My senior year has seen this more than ever, as I regained my interest in reading and became a more active patron in both spaces. I am thus well equipped to speak to the importance of libraries in my own life. Still, I believe that many people underestimate the nature of libraries as public services and community spaces. When towns such as Shrewsbury have not gone without library access in some time–barring, of course, previous Covid-19 restrictions–it may be easier to forget how many different purposes libraries serve, and how they remain relevant in today’s society. Additionally, not everyone frequents the libraries near them, and some may see them as obsolete entirely.

I spoke to Annie Lee King, the Teen Librarian and Volunteer Coordinator at the Shrewsbury Public Library, and Emily Bredberg, a Library Media Specialist at Shrewsbury High School, over email for their input. Please note that at times their responses were shortened or excerpted for brevity.

I began by seeking to establish a baseline understanding of the needs that libraries meet. Naturally, public libraries and school libraries can differ slightly, but also overlap significantly in their purposes. Ms. King shared that she believes libraries “provide a community with access to resources that each individual person isn't likely to afford or have a regular need for”. She went on to define “resources” as an umbrella term, including “books, access to computers and printers, a place to get together with friends, kitchen tools, [and] fun/educational programs” in her list of examples, and stated that our modern society means that “equal access for every person is vital.” Mrs. Bredberg agreed with this, but specified that school libraries and media centers act more precisely as supports for staff, students, and curriculum design. School librarians both “[curate] up-to-date, relevant, and credible resources” and assist students with navigating those and other resources. She also said that formerly, school librarians were mainly responsible for finding information for patrons, but that now, with full access to the Internet as a societal norm, librarians help more with evaluating the “mountain of information at our fingertips” through lessons and one-on-one support. Mrs. Bredberg also said, very simply, “Libraries empower exploration.”

So libraries can provide equitable access, empower learners, and encourage a greater understanding of credibility and bias. Adding to the conversation about accessibility is the fact that public libraries provide many concrete resources, from assistance with creating resumes and paying bills to free programming for all ages. According to Ms. King, the Shrewsbury Public Library even has what they call a “Library of Things”. Patrons over eighteen are able to “borrow so many useful, cool items… [such as] bicycle repair tools, a posthole digger, a fondue pot, an ice cream maker, sewing machines, a karaoke system, a bocce set, and a zillion other things!” This information struck me as particularly exciting to receive and share–many people likely think of libraries as being solely for book borrowing, but if they were more aware of the other services they could access, they might frequent their local library more often.

This is not to understate the inherent value of books and other media. I, with my history of positive experiences in libraries, was also curious what these two librarians thought about a) how media access aids their patrons and b) what their favorite aspect of their multifaceted jobs were.

Mrs. Bredberg, as a librarian working in a school system, believes that “books can be a powerful way for teens (and anyone) to find validation and community or to learn the perspective of someone other than themselves.” She also brings up the “windows and mirrors” metaphor that’s mentioned a lot in education; the idea is that books and other forms of media ought to both reflect the audience’s experiences and introduce them to those of others, with which they might be less familiar. Mrs. Bredberg’s job involves finding new books for the media center, and she strives to do so in a way that allows students to feel seen and grow in their understanding of others. It is clear to me, both in my everyday conversations with her and in this email exchange, that she takes this responsibility intensely seriously. She acknowledged that “books with someone who looks or feels like [the reader does] can feel affirming and powerful” and seeks to provide “ample access” to literature that mirrors her students’ identities and experiences. But it does not seem as though Mrs. Bredberg wants to draw a line at making sure her students feel that they themselves are represented—she also wants to give them the chance to better learn about those around them in the SHS and global communities. Mrs. Bredberg emphasized the societal need for individuals to possess empathy and compassion for other people, and shared that books and other forms of media are one way to nurture that: “We sometimes feel separate from the news stories about conflict around the world or discrimination and hardship here in the US. Books help connect us to the humanity of others.”

Mrs. Bredberg has a special appreciation for the part of her job that allows her to discuss books with students. This appreciation is not solely reserved for the bookworms of SHS, either, and those conversations allow her to connect with the large SHS student body in a more personal way. She has a lot of apparent faith in high school students, saying “I love the strong passions and convictions. I think you all will change the world. In my role, I get to interact with students without many expectations or strings. I really appreciate that I have the opportunity to get to know so many students outside of the classroom.”

Though her job is not wholly dissimilar from Mrs. Bredberg’s, Ms. King also interacts with a sizable portion of Shrewsbury’s teenage population. The public library is, well, a public resource, used by many residents in the area. She described the library as a community, rather than a consumer-seller relationship in the way so many spaces are today. She sees it as a two-way street: “I'm providing a space, and media, and programs, and myself as the librarian, and my patrons are bringing their opinions and ideas and their involvement in the library.” Her favorite part of her job? Anything that builds that community and connection, but especially aiding patrons in finding enjoyable and novel media.

The role of libraries in building community and celebrating diverse perspectives is especially relevant given current political debates about censorship. Many conservative politicians in particular have expressed concerns regarding what literature should be available to children, students, or the public altogether. These are currently ten of the most frequently banned books; what one may notice if they were to click on that link is that the books being targeted are overwhelmingly those that depict the identities and experiences of people of color and/or LGBTQ+ people. This can therefore be a heated debate, with those who are in support of book bans labeling the literature as inappropriate, mature, even obscene, and those who oppose book bans labeling the works as critical and necessary to spark conversation and self exploration. I do not wish to try and fully dissect this topic, but if you wish to learn more about book bans, you can visit the American Library Association’s FAQ and general page on banned and challenged books for more information, as well as this informational article by US News. Do recognize that most sources on this topic will carry bias, as it is incredibly contentious.

While I did not want to get into the intricacies of the conversation surrounding book censorship, I thought it only fair to ask these two librarians about their thoughts regarding the reasoning behind book bans. Ms. King was very honest: “This is a tough question because, to me, the idea of banning books in this way is very strange and kind of incomprehensible. Generally, I like to think the best of people, and assume that they have positive motivations… People appear to try to ban or censor books that they think will be dangerous or harmful, particularly to children and teens. On the one hand, I get it… However, what each person considers harmful or dangerous varies wildly. Banning books imposes the views and opinions of one person or group on the entire community.” She went on to disclose that she does not solely choose books that she enjoys or agrees with; instead, she reads for reviews, requests recommendations from patrons, and has her teenage advisors vote on books to add to the library collection. Mrs. Bredberg shared similar thoughts, saying that “most book censorship is because parents or teachers want to protect children from difficult topics”, though there are some “bad actors”. She wanted to emphasize that “books are a safe place to explore difficult topics, and librarians take that to heart.”

I don’t truly need this last bit. After all, I’m typing this article on a public library computer while sitting in the Teen Room of the Shrewsbury Public Library surrounded by other teenagers using the space to study, read, and socialize. Still, I wanted to close my written interviews by asking Ms. King and Mrs. Bredberg how they would best pitch a visit to a library to someone. And these responses, I had to print in full.

ALK: Well, what do they need? Now and again you hear people say "what do we need libraries for? We've got Amazon and Google!" Yeah, sure, but Amazon isn't going to lend you board games and audiobooks and movies and a breadmaker, all for free. Google can help you find some answers for your homework but it can't give you a comfy, well-lit space where you can work on a project, or a librarian who will give you supplies and teach you how to sew a stuffed animal or wire a circuit - again, all for free.

EM: Our media center belongs to the students of SHS. I curate and coordinate things, but the resources here are for you.

Whether you’re a Shrewsbury student or adult resident, frequent patron or someone who does not yet own a library card yourself, I would urge you to take advantage of your access to these many services. And hey, who doesn’t need a fondue pot?

-Wes Cardani, for the final time

Thank you to Annie Lee King and Emily Bredberg for their time and verbose answers to my many questions. If you would like more information about the services Shrewsbury’s public library provides, you can visit their website online or come find out for yourself by stopping at 609 Main Street right here in the center of Shrewsbury during operating hours.