News, Stories and More

Libraries as Community Centers

In addition to the critical role public libraries play in our communities by providing free access to resources and materials, they have also become community centers—where people come to socialize, collaborate and connect. A recent article noted: “Bookstores and libraries have long played a central role in fostering a deeper appreciation of knowledge, and in lifelong learning. Increasingly, these places are also filling another critical need in our communities, by providing a haven for those seeking a communal connection in an ever-more isolated world.”

January 30, 2012 community centers, libraries, news