Do We Really NEED libraries?!

I read something this morning on Facebook posted by Book Riot that has me thinking dark thoughts. They quoted a rant against libraries by children’s book author Terry Deary. ( http://bookriot.com/2013/02/19/when-authors-attack-libraries-a-gif-response/) He spoke out in favor of closing libraries in order to save money. He declares that no one expects to be given a free ticket to the movie or a concert or any other form of entertainment, so why should books be free? He says authors and agents and publishers have to eat. He also points out that bookstores are going under because “libraries are cutting their throats.” And authors who support libraries are helping them do it. Wow. Even though some of these things are true, I can’t imagine a writer feeling this way. I was as excited that my book was going to be on the shelf in the library as I was for it to be on the shelf at Barnes & Noble! Yes, my last post was a farewell to the bookstore where I worked for fifteen years because they’re going under—but mostly because of online sales, not libraries. Libraries and book stores have coexisted happily for decades. Maybe it’s silly nostalgia, but I still remember getting my first library card. Back then they were paper instead of plastic, but the material doesn’t matter—it’s the feeling of walking in and being surrounded by all those WORDS and SENTENCES and PARAGRAPHS and PAPER and INK! It was carrying out a pile of books in the form of fuel for my imagination and letting it soar. To me libraries are practically holy places—with a little “h”. Even though I can relate a bit to Mr. Deary’s pain, I can’t agree with the idea of closing libraries to save money. Let’s just close minds to ideas while we’re at it, and we can all think alike, think what we’re told to. Then we won’t even need books at all! What do you think? To borrow or not to borrow—this is the question.