The demise of the public library has been greatly exaggerated. They are all the more important in these economic times. This week The Wall Street Journal has had two articles about libraries that I found interesting.
The first was on Thursday in my favorite bottom of page 1 column. I can just about count on reading something there that's interesting and, quite often, a little quirky. The article was about the use of libraries by job-seekers and others who have more time than usual on their hands. One aspect of my job that I love is teaching people how to use a computer. I have taught many people how to go online to fill out job applications and to use the information available to them beyond their own little world.
The second library-related piece ran in yesterday's edition. It was an essay by Ann Patchett about the recent report from the National Endowment for the Arts. According to the report, the number of people reading fiction is going up for the first time in 25 years.
Both pieces are worth reading.
