Spreading the Word

Like every tax or tuition-supported institution, the library often finds itself in the cross-hairs of budget committees looking for areas to cut.  Sadly, public perception of libraries during this "Digital Age" remains skeptical.  Public libraries especially are viewed as obsolete by taxpayers who insist that Google and Amazon provide researchers and students with all the resources they need.  In their opinion, computer servers like those below have replaced bookshelves in importance.

Photo courtesy of http://123hdwallpapers.com/google-data-center-network-server-computer.html

To combat this negative image, the University of Maryland and the American Library Association partnered and released an infographic titled "Public Libraries & Digital Inclusion".  A sidebar argues that when libraries (97.8%, according to their study) provide free Internet access, these institutions also supplement this with expertise from trained professionals (librarians) free of charge.  Public libraries also offer technology instruction, immigration assistance, and guide those people seeking employment to appropriate resources--again--free of charge.  Perhaps more public libraries should promote themselves to city councils and budget committees with information like that supplied by the University of Maryland and the ALA.  A little self-promotion might go a long way!