Let’s talk about libraries

This week, the Socorro City Council is updating patron guidelines for the public library. In the past, food and drink have been prohibited but now, the idea of a coffee station as a fundraiser sounds like a great idea, and the rules are being changed accordingly.

I’m fully on board with that. In fact, I’m a big fan of libraries. While the library is a community gathering place, it has a different vibe than does, say, a retail store, school, church, or the park. I go to the library for some quiet time, but it’s hardly downtime. So much to do there!

People come to the library to learn, think, research, read, relax and explore ideas. And now, a nice cup of coffee or tea? Yes, please.

But where there are people, there’s going to be misbehavior, unfortunately, and there has to be a list of rules. Reading through the list, they all seem quite reasonable. Some activities might require quiet conversation with a librarian or fellow patron, but certainly not “loudtalking” on a cell phone or chattering with friends.

Headphones/earbuds can be worn if one is listening to something on audio or online. If I want to listen to a book or podcast, I will use my own devices, thanks. I haven’t seen a librarian shushing anyone in decades, but I admit that I’ve wanted to.

There are exceptions. Storytime might get a little rowdy – but everyone bears with it because kids should indeed be in the library, especially in the summer. It’s happy noise, and there are corners of the library where it’s much quieter. Library youth activities lay a foundation for future patronage, which is important as young learners become citizens who have big ideas, who vote and run for office, and who go to work or start businesses.

Who else belongs in the library? Students who don’t have computers at home or who might not have space to spread out at home to do their schoolwork belong in the library. For a parent who needs a quick, peaceful place to hang out while Junior is taking piano down the street, or for the avid reader who must devour the next Sookie Stackhouse novel, the library is open.

The library can be a place to go during the day. For homeless people, it’s inside and it’s free. There’s plenty to do and there’s the space to regroup just a bit. These folks have a place at the library.

I’ve been a cardholder for the public library in whatever community I’ve lived in. There were public libraries, university libraries, and even special collections and archives that required white gloves.

But what I would like to impress upon Chieftain readers is that libraries are havens, for all of us. They are founded on the principle that you don’t have to have the means to buy books or newspapers. You can borrow items and glean facts, read stories, learn about others. Information is all around us, and knowledge-gathering should be supported by all of us. School curriculum is one thing, but the freedom to “graze” across the library holdings supports and enhances formal education.

Don’t trust what someone is telling you? Want to know more? Use the resources of your library and your librarian to learn. Don’t just rely on the algorithms and robots behind a Google search. Learn to think critically, to ask good questions, to evaluate sources, to challenge pat answers, to recognize when someone is lying, to articulate what you believe in. All that can happen at the library, whether your are in person or using the virtual library through their website or app.

Given free rein at the library, I spent one summer reading every book with a horse or dog on the cover or in the title. That was how I discovered Larry McMurtry (his first novel was “Horseman, Pass By.”)

So, will we see you at the library? You can meditate, do group exercise, join book club, hold a meeting, paint with the summer art crew. Check out what the lovely Socorro Public Library has to offer.  (See what I did there?)

That’s my story. Tell me yours.