9 Ways To Save Libraries

A 2017 Pew research study found millennials are the most likely generation to use public libraries. The generation that had reading drilled into us through Scholastic book fairs, the BookIT program, Reading Rainbow, and gobs of other methods uses the library the most. Huh, you don’t say?

I remember the day I got my first library card. I was young, six or seven. Why this particular moment has stuck with me, I’m not sure. It definitely wasn’t because it allowed me to use a library stack ladder to its fullest potential. First, because Beauty and the Beast hadn’t been released yet, I didn’t know what those ladders’ full potential was. Second, my local library didn’t have ladders. Mores the pity.

Perhaps the memory stuck because it was pink. Maybe it was because it had a clunky metal chip that looked like a bunch of gold staples fused together. Or it could have been because it looked like a credit card — at least it did to me at the time — and had my name on it. Having my name on something was a big deal then, and the dopamine hit to my developing brain likely contributed to the day’s considerable staying power.

But with the benefit of hindsight, that pink card opened up possibilities. It gave me access to hundreds of adventures and hours and hours of escape without asking my parents for money. Scholastic book fairs were great, but with the price tags comes a gate that not everyone can enter through. A ride to the library was much more convenient and financially sustainable, especially with my healthy book appetite.

I also remember hearing adults talk about what the future of libraries would be as the internet picked up more and more steam. As that happened, that pink card continued to offer a helping hand. Access to the internet became increasingly important to school work, and my parents did not and still have not embraced the digital age. If I couldn’t use the computers at the library, I would have struggled to put out the same quality output as my classmates.

Libraries have continued evolving. While books, magazines, and newspapers have been their mainstay for years, the lending capacity for libraries has branched out to so much more than that. Are you desperately missing Blockbuster for Friday night entertainment? Your local library probably has you covered. Want to dust off your old record player but need records? Your library could be the answer. Need a power tool for a single home improvement project? Check with libraries in your area. Is your kid going to enjoy an American Girl doll? See if the library offers lending services. Want to learn a new skill but can’t afford a LinkedIn Learning membership? Your library card can hold the key to those skills.

And those are the tools you can take home.

What libraries provide within their walls has also increased. Book clubs just popped into your head, didn’t they? Or was it story time for kids? Both are popular, but they are not the end-all-be-all. Interactive movie nights, film clubs, mini-golf, cybersecurity and technology seminars, knitting/crocheting/sewing circles, meeting hours with local and state representatives, concerts, and meetings to improve language skills. And I am just scratching the surface with this list.

Libraries aren’t just books and magazines. They aren’t just places to get free internet access, make copies, or print out an application. They aren’t places to go once a month for book club.

They are all those things and are a whole lot more than that.

Anyone who’s ever found themselves at a disadvantage or crossroads will tell you that any lifeline is essential. I am not a believer in the bootstrap myth. I prefer “it takes a village” as it is more accurate and valuable advice. But, if the bootstrap myth is real and to be believed, then libraries are one of the bootstraps.

You can see where I am heading with this. The knee-jerk rebuttal is that librarians can’t fix everything. No, libraries are not the answer to every problem. However, easing into a chair in a corner with a book never hurts anything.

Even if they do not provide a ready-made solution to what you’re facing, at the bare minimum, they can give relaxation so you can get your bearings. They provide a community to reach out to, so you might find the necessary resources. They offer knowledge so you can navigate the storm you’re in better.

I went to the worst-case scenario there. Are you not at your wits’ end? Are you not in a desperate situation? Libraries can still be a helping hand with what you have on your plate. I watched a video a while ago where someone said TikTok is a great tool for learning. I totally get that perspective, but not everyone can learn through watching a video. Libraries are the OG TikTok.

If you’ve gotten this far into this piece and are thinking, “Libraries don’t impact my life.” That is great, and I am happy you have everything you need. Most of you are probably thinking more like, “Yes, I love my library!” Or, at the very least, “I go to the library often and like having one in my community.” No matter where you are on the library spectrum, you might need the services and the community libraries provide.

And libraries are currently under attack. They need some of the TLC they have been lending us for all these years.

Oh god. She’s talking about book bans.

Yes, book bans are one of the problems libraries are currently facing. According to data released by the American Library Association (ALA), between January 1 and August 31st last year, there were 414 attempts to censor library materials/services, with 1,128 unique titles facing challenges. These numbers show a decrease from 2023 but are still higher than pre-pandemic.

Librarians have lost their jobs over protecting their libraries’ integrity. PBS interviewed Suzette Baker, one of the librarians fired for refusing to censor library content. In the interview, she said, “Libraries are neutral space. And they should be protected as that neutral space. There’s no protections for them. “We need a free library, a library of everything, a library that reflects the good, the bad and the ugly.”

Book bans are having serious consequences for libraries all over the nation. John Oliver covered the impact of book bans on libraries in a Last Week Tonight episode in 2024. One of the libraries in the episode under fire did not even have any books being asked to be censored on their shelves. Yes, I am serious. Watch the whole 27-minute video; it is worth it. And he will make you laugh more than I can.

While book bans and censorship are significant issues, they are not the only ones that can impact the library in your community. Most local libraries are administered by the town they are in and receive funding through the state and sometimes federal level. Some associations, like the ALA, often provide funding, and local organizations, like Friends of the Library, help raise funds and awareness. But, as so many say, but Cabaret put it to music, “money makes the world go round,” and libraries are seeing less of it.

The future of receiving federal funding for libraries is uncertain since the current administration is embroiled in a legal battle over the grant funding freeze. Which leaves the states and towns on their own. You’re probably thinking, “My town is pretty secure; I don’t have to worry about my library not having the funds for libraries.” That’s not necessarily true. Budgets are being cut everywhere.

Libraries are so often perceived as a luxury. But they are, in reality, essential community services. So, now that I’ve finished doom and glooming, what can we do about this?

That is a big question. And before you get too nervous, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. But there are plenty of ways to do something to fortify your library without going too far (if at all) out of your comfort zone. Do you have to do all of these ten things? No, because not all of us can do all ten. Even doing one of the things below makes a difference:

1. Get A Library Card — This might seem like a small, almost stupid suggestion. Libraries and the people who run them must justify their worth, which is absurd but a reality we must live with. The better the numbers, the stronger the worth argument becomes. 

Return On Investment (ROI): For five or ten minutes and no financial investment, you gain access to the library’s wealth of materials, services, and community.

2. Check Out Books  — Another seemingly small and stupid suggestion. But I offer you this  — why is it that all of the resume writing advice out there says to include hard statistics in your job experience? When faced with having to justify your worth, the healthier the statistics, the easier it is to justify your worth. If going to the brick-and-mortar library is too out of the way, try their digital offerings through apps like Libby and OverDrive. Digital circulation still counts towards these numbers! 

ROI: For the time it takes to select a book/magazine/board game/etc., you enjoy the resource without paying for it and then find somewhere to put it in your home.

3. Attend Events — Find an event that interests you and go. It doesn’t matter what—storytime for your kiddos, sewing classes, cybersecurity seminars, book clubs. Attendance is another statistic that really makes the value proposition for libraries shine. 

ROI: The full ROI depends on your choice, but at a basic level, you gain knowledge and a more profound sense of community. In the case of storytime for your kiddos, you gain some time to disengage.

Save Through Donation

4. Donate Your Books And Other Materials — Most, if not all, libraries accept book donations. Sometimes, they even take donations of other things like crafting supplies and gently used board games and puzzles. Libraries can use these donations to bolster their lending or raise funds through book sales.

ROI: For the time it takes you to drive over to your library, you get more shelf space and less clutter.

5. Donate Through Volunteering — Everyone needs help. Giving your time to assist the library is a great way to show your community that you support the library. Library volunteers can help in many ways, so if you’re not into helping shelf books, helping at one of the special events they host is more your speed. Talk with your librarians to see where your time can be best spent. They may need more programs, and you can start a new club around a favorite subject or hobby. They may need someone with organizational skills to help optimize their events, and you’re a rockstar in that area. They may have a spot open in the Friends of the Library or Trustee leadership, and you’re a perfect fit for the role. 

ROI: There is no substitute for the high you get when helping someone else.

6. Donate Your Money — This option is not for everyone, but it is an important one. If this is something you can do, you have plenty of options open to you:

• • Friends of the Library Fundraisers — Many libraries have Friends organizations that help raise funds throughout the year to support the library. Some fundraisers include spring plant sales, craft fairs, bake sales, and many more. When you see these events, look and buy something from the sales. Or better yet, if you are a baker, donate a dozen cookies to the sale. If you’ve got a green thumb, work your magic and donate a few sprouts to the cause. Have a brown thumb and absolutely no skill with a KitchenAid? Refreshments are often sold during these events; you can drop off a 12-pack of water bottles. Donating money doesn’t always mean writing a check
  • Library Endowments — If you can write a check and that’s more your speed, some libraries have endowments or other donation options to show financial support to your local library.
  • Library Associations — If you’re interested in giving beyond your local library, you can make donations to national organizations like the ALA, EveryLibrary, and UnitedAgainstBannedBooks.

ROI: Play some Sarah McLaughlin for full effect while reading this. I recommend Arms of an Angel, but you do you. By giving your money to any of the options above, you are helping to ensure that libraries continue to provide their services and that kids continue to make library card memories.

Save Through Advocacy

7. Encourage Others to Use The Library — Word of mouth is nothing to scoff at. You know more people than you think who don’t consider the library when looking for resources. 

ROI: Helping people discover (or rediscover) the library continues to enrich your life and enrich your library with new patrons, perspectives, and resources while doubling or tripling your impact from engaging in the Save Through Statistics options.

8. Speak Up At Town/City/State Level — Remember that libraries are mostly administered locally. Town/City meetings and the votes that result from those meetings tremendously impact libraries. Attend whenever you can and make your voice and vote heard. By supporting your libraries in this way, you are helping to show administrators and representatives how valuable these institutions are and helping them retain funding. 

ROI: Helping to secure funds for your library will keep vital resources available to you and your community. The added bonus is that you’re being civic-minded and an active citizen.

9. Call/Write your Congressional Representatives — Federal funding has been consistently dwindling. Federal funding for libraries and other humanities is currently frozen and entangled in litigation that will likely take a long time to resolve. On top of that, there are active campaigns to restrict libraries’ funding resources. Your representatives need to know how you feel. And should they continue to be your representatives if they don’t recognize and listen to your concerns?

As an added way to engage with your representatives, the ALA has launched Stand Up For Our Libraries, which helps people and libraries take action and share their stories so Congress can fully understand the meaning and value libraries bring to the community.

ROI: Helping to secure funds for your library will keep vital resources available to you and your community. The added bonus is that you’re being civic-minded and an active citizen.

I cannot stress this enough. Libraries are facing a multi-front attack, and the time to act is now. Remember that you likely cannot do everything listed above, but you can do some. All of these actions are critical for libraries to be a continued presence in our communities.